"HO 
OANE 


BX  8495   .G78  S87  i860 
Strickland,  W.   P.  1809-1884 
The  life  of  Jacob  Gruber 


THE    LIFE  (  ^^^^  ^9^^ 

JACOB    G  RUBER. 

/ 

By  W.  p.  &TEICKLAND. 


txo  J)  0  r  k  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  CARLTON  &  PORTER, 

200  MULBEREY-STEEET. 
1860. 


Entered  according  to  Act.  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1860,  by 


CARLTON  &  PORTER, 

in  the  Clerk's  OfiBce  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New-York. 


■ 


PREFACE. 


"Jacob  Gruber  was  a  character,  and  copied 
after  no  man,"  was  a  remark  made  by  one  of 
his  cotemporaries,  an  aged  minister  of  the  Bal- 
timore Conference,  and  whoever  reads  the 
sketch  of  his  life  presented  in  the  following 
pages  will,  we  think,  be  fully  convinced  of  the 
fact.  He  was  himself  always  and  everywhere, 
and  he  never  lost  his  individuality  as  one  of  the 
most  humorous,  witty,  and  yet  withal  grave  and 
earnest  preachers  of  his  day.  We  have  aimed 
at  giving  a  faithful  portraiture  of  the  man,  pre- 
senting the  salient  points  of  his  character  as 
they  were  developed  during  a  ministry  of  over 
half  a  century ;  and  as  our  materials  were  ample, 
apart  from  the  recollections  of  numerous  inci- 
dents connected  with  his  life,  furnished  by  per- 
sonal friends,  the  reader  need  not  fear  that  we 


4 


PEEFACE. 


have  taxed  our  imagination  to  fill  up  tlie  pic- 
ture. His  whole  life  was  full  of  incident.  Pos- 
sessed as  he  was  of  such  a  striking  individuality 
of  character,  it  may  be  safely  affirmed,  that 
among  all  the  varieties  found  in  the  ministerial 
ranks  he  stands  alone.  There  are  not  many 
Cartwrights  or  Finleys ;  there  was  but  one 
Gruber. 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  work  is  autobi- 
ographic, and  will  prove  the  more  interesting  on 
that  account.  The  writer  desires  to  tender  his 
grateful  acknowledgements  to  the  Baltimore 
Historical  Society  for  kindly  giving  him  access 
to  the  Gruber  papers,  and  for  the  facilities  fur- 
nished by  its  estimable  secretary  for  copying 
the  same.  He  also  desires  to  mention  the  kind- 
ness of  numerous  ministei"s  in  the  Baltimore, 
Philadelphia,  and  other  conferences,  for  the 
facts  and  incidents  furnished  by  them,  and 
which  have  proved  of  great  value  in  the  prepa- 
i-ation  of  the  work. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Early  Life  —  Parentage  —  Itinerant  Preachers  —  Conversion  —  Simon  Mil- 
ler —  Singuliir  Notions  about  Keligion  —  A  learned  Ministry — Valentine 
Qook  —  Wicked  Wish  of  a  German  Woman —  Griiber's  Call  to  the  Min- 
istry—  Goes  upon  a  Circuit  — Predictions  —  Takes  his  Degrees  among 
the  Mountains  —  Hard  Service  and  Poor  Fare  —  Father  Turck  —  Dumb 
Man's  Speech — W.  M'Lenahan  —  An  old  Preacher's  aversion  to  Bi- 
ographies—  Second  Year's  Field  of  Labor  —  Power  in  Prayer  —  A 
remarkable  Case  —  A  German  Indian  —  Lorenzo  and  Peggy  Dow  — 
An  Indian  Eshorter  —  An  amusing  Incident  —  Carlisle  Circuit  — 
Early  Methodist  Literature  —  Winchester  Circuit  —  Ministerial  Dig- 
nity—  Bishop  Asbury  on  Solids  and  Fluids  —  Dyspeptic  Preachers  — 
Asbury's  Cure  for  a  Clerical  Parvenu  —  Father  Richards  Page  9 

CHAPTER  II. 

Bishop  George  —  Story  of  "Bishop  George  and  the  Young  Preacher" 
unfounded  —  Young  Americas  —  Eockingham  —  James  Ward  — 
Eevival  —  Strange  Exercises  —  Gruber  made  Presiding  Elder  — 
Camp-meetings  —  Letter  to  Dr.  Coke  from  a  Presbyterian  Minister 
—  Water  and  Fire  —  Lost  in  the  Mountains  —  Death  ut  a  Camp- 
meeting —  Wonderful  Exercises  —  Presbyterians  shouting  —  A  Young 
Divine  seeking  a  Call  —  A  Family  Quarrel  settled  —  An  eccentric  Local 
Preacher — ^  A  Backwoods  College  —  Master  Workman  —  Books  of  the 
Bar  —  Getting  happy  l;)efore  the  Time  —  Description  of  Solomon's 
Tenjple  —  Coughing  up  the  Kegroes  —  A  Slave-trader  —  Strangers 
tested  by  Prayer  —  A  good  Master  —  Wicked  Elders   35 

CHAPTER  III. 

Camp-meetings  on  the  Greenbrier  District  —  Commendable  Emulation 
among  tlie  Preachers  —  A  jolly  Wedding  —  A  Slaveholding  Preacher  — 
Monongahela  District  —  Statistics  of  Camp-meetings  —  Bold  Sinners  — 
A  young  Man  with  a  Pistol  —  Conversion  of  a  Major  —  Camp-meetings 
among  the  Presbyterians  —  An  Infidel  Club  —  Assault  and  Battery  — 
A  "strait  and  stiff"  Professor  of  Religion; — A  Shout  in  the  Wrong 
Place  —  A  happy  Man  —  A  Termagant  —  Quarterly  Meetings  —  A  Maa 


6 


CONTKNTS, 


in  Distress  —  A  zenlous  Exhorter  — Interesting  Historical  Item  —  Last 
Interview  with  Bishop  Asbury  —  High  Heads  —  Fashionable  Dress  — 
Letter  to  a  General  Conference  Delegate  —  Opposition  to  Dogs  —  A 
Dandy  Preacher  —  Eestoring  Order  at  a  Camp-meeting  —  Singular  Re- 
proof—  Blowing  out  the  Fire  —  Fine  Style  in  Preaching  —  Preacliiug 
before  the  Professors  and  Students  of  Dickinson  College — Opposition 
to  Tobacco  —  Preachers  reproved  for  Smoking  Page  58 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Preaching  in  Cabins  —  Appointed  to  Baltimore —  Light-street  and  Sharp- 
street  Churches  —  Quaker  Opposition — 'Conversation  with  a  Quaker 
—  The  Battle  at  North  Point  —  Preaching  to  the  Soldiers  —  Bombard- 
ment—  Burial  with  the  Honors  of  War — Sermon  on  the  Fourth  of 
July — A  Strange  Procession  —  Dreams  and  Visions  —  Old  Joe's  Vis- 
ion of  Jacob's  Laddei"   93 

CHAPTER  V. 

Opposition  to  a  City  Station —  Appointed  to  Carlisle  Circuit  —  Appointed 
to  the  District  —  Great  Times  in  the  Mountains  — Model  Professors  — 
Albright  and  his  People  —  An  honest  Dutchman  judged  —  United 
Bretlircn  Church  —  Opposition  Line — Bisliop  Asbury's  Wish  —  Gru- 
ber's  Sermon  at  the  Washington  Camp-meeting  —  National  Sins  — 
Address  to  Masters  and  Slaves  —  Displeasure  of  Slaveholders  —  Letter 
from  Rev.  S.  G.  Roszel  —  Warrant  issticd  for  his  Arrest  —  Arrested 
at  Quarterly  Meeting  —  Gave  Security  for  his  Appearance  at  Court  — 
Indicted  by  the  Grand  Jury  for  inciting  Slaves  to  Mutiny  and  Re- 
bellion  123 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Bill  of  Indictment  —  Opening  of  tlie  Case  —  Examination  of  Witnesses  in 
behalf  of  the  State  —  Opening  Address  on  behalf  of  the  Defendant 
by  Roger  B.  Tauey  of  Washington  City  —  Examination  of  Witnesses 
for  the  Defense  —  Testimony  of  Rev.  N.  Snethen  —  Rev.  J.  Mason  — 
Rev.  J.  Forrest  —  H.  G.  O'Neal  —  Mr.  Long  —  Rev.  L.  Everhart  —  Rev. 
S.  L.  Davis  —  Jacob  Bowlus  —  John  Bowlus  —  Messrs.  Brazier,  Hunt, 
Bealer,  Blake,  Middlekautl",  White,  and  Reynolds —  Ee v.  F.  Stier  — 
Rev.  Stephen  G.  Roszel  —  Rev.  Abner  Neal  —  Closing  Argument  for 
the  Prosecution  —  Mr.  Martin's  Argument  for  the  Defense  —  Argu- 
ment of  Mr.  Pigman,  Counselor  for  the  Defense  —  Mr.  Taney  concludes 
the  Defense  —  Verdict  of  the  Jury   142 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Eev.  David  Martin  —  Testimony  of  the  Bible  —  Traffic  in  Slaves  —  Gru- 
ber's  Sermon  at  Camp-meeting  — Different  kinds  of  Hearers  —  Repnbli- 
cap  Slaveholdere  —  History  of  Arrest  and  Trial  —  Eeflectious  —  R«vie  w 


CONTENTS. 


7 


of  the  Trial  —  Lawyers  —  Inefficiency  and  Uncertainty  of  Law  —  Love 
of  Money  —  Conference  —  Bishop  Koberts  —  Exercise  of  Episcopal 
Functions  —  Bishop's  Cabinet — The  AVay  Appointments  are  now 
made — Eight  of  Choice  —  Frederic  Circuit — Kest  Week  —  Incident 
illustrating  the  Power  of  Bigotry  Page  249 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Conference  at  Georgetown  —  "Haltering  the  Condition "  — Marriage  — 
Housekeeping  —  Dauphin  Circuit  —  Preacher's  Allowance  —  Travehng 
Expenses  —  Bishop  Asbury's  Opinion  of  City  Stations  —  Frohcking 
Christians  — Harvest  Sermon— Conference  in  Philadelphia  —  Bishop 
Soule  —  Questions  —  Appointments  —  Something  strange   268 

cm^J'TER  IX. 

Bristol  Circuit  — Germans  and  Quakers  —  Early  Field  of  Labor — Strange 
Texts  —  A  Wonderful  Preacher  —  Pointless  Sermon  —  Lancaster  Cir- 
cuit—  Pride,  Whisky,  and  Tobacco  —  Camp-meeting — Sutlers  —  A 
Sheep  and  a  Goat  —  Burlington  Circuit  —  A  good  Beggar  —  A  Singular 
Druggist  —  Chester  Circuit  —  J.  B.  Finley  and  his  Indian  Chiefs  — 
Presbyterians  and  Anxious  Seats  —  A  Baptist  Experience  ■ — Philadel- 
phia—  St.  George's  Church — ^  Colleagues  —  Great  Reform  in  Baltimore 

—  Mutual  Rights  —  A  fine  House  —  Withdrawal  of  a  Reformer  from 
the  Church  —  Singular  Certificate  —  Salem  Circuit  —  Benjamin  Abbott 

—  Rum  Drinking — -Tobacco  Chewing — Prosperity  —  Sermon  at  St. 
George's  in  1830    279 

CHAPTER  X. 

Waynesburgh  Circuit  — Dr.  Sargent  —  Bishop  M'Kendree  —  Removal  to 
Baltimore  —  Opposition  to  Transfer  —  Port  Deposit  Circuit  —  William 
Hunter  —  Baltimore,  Sharp-street  and  Asbury — -Death  of  Mrs.  Gru- 
ber — Colored  People  —  Ebenezer,  Washington  City  —  A  Hollander 
and  a  Priest — Questions  —  Title  to  Heaven — ^  Extravagance  in  Wash- 
ington—  Chaplain  to  Congress  —  Singular  Sermon  at  a  Camp-meet- 
ing—  Carlisle  Circuit — Opposition  Lines  —  Feet  Washing — Chris- 
tians—  Miracle  Workers  —  Camp-meeting  on  Huntingdon  Circuit  — 
Amusing  Discourse  —  The  Crow's  Nest  stirred  up  —  Card  Playing  — 
"A  Particular  and  Confidential  Friend"  —  Sharp-street  and  Asbury, 
Baltimore  —  "Old  Wesley" — Colored  Preachers  —  Spurious  Reviv- 
als—  Profession  and  Practice  —  Visit  to  Rachel  Martin   303 

CHAPTER  XI. 

Lewistown  —  Removal  —  Rachel  Martin's  House  —  Gruber  outdone  —  An 
Irish  Family  —  Wesley's  Bed  —  An  Episcopal  Parson  —  Undeserved 
Compliment— A  liberal  Circuit  — A  new  Thing  under  the  Moon — 


8 


CONTENTS. 


Mifflin  Circuit — "A  better  Day  coming" — Animal  Excitement  — 
Church  Building  —  Preachers'  Salaries  —  A  Bargain  proposed  —  Mean- 
ing of  the  Word  "  all "  —  Trough  Creek  Cii-cuit  —  Bad  State  of  Things 

—  Reformers  —  Camp-meetings  —  A  Slip  —  Tobacco  Chewing  and  Feet 
Washing  — The  "  holy  Kiss"  — Church  sold  Page  327 

CHAPTEPw  XII. 
Warrior's  Mark  Circuit  —  Witches — An  Ugly  Old  Woman  —  Consist- 
ency—  A  Witch  tried  —  Shirleysburgh  Circuit  —  A  Friendly  Family 

—  Education  of  Daughters  in  Catholic  Seminary  —  Anxiety  of  the 
Mother  —  Eeflections  — Personal  Interview  —  Admission  —  Purgatory 

—  Location  —  Heaven  —  Priestcraft  —  Short  Way  with  the  Catholics  — 
Conversation  with  a  Priest — "Old  Mother  Church"  —  The  True 
Church — St.  Peter  a  sorry  Foundation  —  Invincible  Ignorance  —  A 
Mass  Meeting — High  Mass  —  Low  Mass  —  The  Original  Languages  — 
Horse  and  Mass  in  Latin   339 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Hints  to  young  Preachers  —  Treatment  of — A  Union  Meeting-house  — 
Prayer  for  a  young  Preacher  —  Clerical  Vanity  —  Bombast  —  Eolation 
of  an  Incident  —  Preaching  at  Conference  —  A  smart  young  Preacher 

—  Improving  the  Style  —  "Going  to  Heaven  by  way  of  the  Moon  to 
see  the  Angels  "  — A  Wonderful  Man   350 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Personal  Recollections  —  Peculiar  Characteristics  —  Uncompromising  — 
Education  —  Gruber's  Style  as  a  Preacher  — The  Door  of  Heaven 
shut  and  the  Key  lost  —  Dietetic  Scniples  —  Theological  Attainments 

—  Deep  Piety  —  Cider  and  Beer  —  Augmentum  ad  Mulierera  —  Fall- 
ing from  Grace  —  Fire  in  the  Head  —  Preaching  to  the  Fishes  —  The 
Borrowed  Shirt  —  Indian  Squaws  —  Misquotations  —  Odd  Reproof.  359 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Tribute  to  the  Memory  of  Gruber — Last  Round  —  Last  Sermon  —  Dr. 
Bond  —  Right  to  a  Jubilee  —  Letter  to  the  Conference  —  Unintermitted 
Labor  of  Fifty  Years  —  Work  done  —  Great  Sufferings  —  Attachment 
to  the  Sanctuary  —  Last  Sabbath  in  the  Church  —  Discourse  —  Relig- 
ious Enjoyment —  Adjustment  of  Temporal  Affairs  —  Bequests  to 
Chartered  Fund,  Missionary  Society,  etc.  —  Rev.  S.  V.  Blake  —  Clos- 
ing Scene  —  Last  Sabbath  on  Earth,  first  Sabbath  in  Heaven — Por- 
traiture of  his  Character — In  Memoriam   370 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Early  Life  —  Parentage  —  Itinerant  Preachers  —  Conversion  —  Simon  Mil- 
ler —  Singular  Notions  about  Eeligion  —  A  learned  Ministry — -Valentine 
Cook  —  Wicked  Wish  of  a  German  Woman  —  Gruber's  Call  to  the  Min- 
istry—  Goes  upon  a  Circuit  —  Predictions  —  Takes  his  Degrees  among 
the  Mountains  —Hard  Service  and  PoorFare  —  Father  Turck  — Dumb 
Man's  Speech — W.  M'Lenahan  —  An  old  Preacher's  aversion  to  Bi- 
ographies—  Second  Year's  Field  of  Labor  — Power  in  Prayer  —  A 
remarkable  Case  —  A  German  Indian  —  Lorenzo  and  Peggy  Dow  — 
An  Indian  Exhorter  —  An  amusing  Incident — Carlisle  Circuit  — 
Early  Methodist  Literature — -Winchester  Circuit  —  Ministerial  Dig- 
nity—  Bishop  Asbury  on  Solids  and  Fluids  —  Dyspeptic  Preachers  — 
Bishop  Asbury 's  Cure  for  a  Clerical  Parvenu  —  Father  Eichards. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  present  century  there  ap- 
peared at  the  seat  of  the  Philadelphia  Conference  a 
young  man  from  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania,  who 
was  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  it  was  his 
duty  to  preach.  The  homestead  which  he  had  left 
was  the  place  of  his  birth,  which  occurred  February  3, 
1778.    His  parents,  whose  Christian  names  were 


10 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


John  and  Platina,  were  of  Gei-man  descent,  and  had 
been  brought  up  in  the  faith  of  the  great  leader  of 
the  Reformation.  The  German  Reformed  Church 
was  among  the  earliest  organized  in  Pennsylvania, 
and  for  many  years,  in  the  particular  section  about 
which  we  are  writing,  that  denomination  had  the 
exclusive  control  of  the  religious  interests  of  the 
neighborhood.  The  time,  however,  came  when  this 
quiet  was  broken.  Two  itinerant  Methodist  preach- 
ers, who,  it  seems,  without  any  special  ecclesiastical 
authority,  and  without  any  regard  whatever  for  the 
old  established  order  of  things,  had  divided  up  the 
country  into  circuits,  and  claiming  to  be  successors 
of  the  apostles  themselves,  thought  it  no  robbery  to 
imitate  them  in  traversing  the  country,  and  preaching 
the  Gospel  whenever  they  found  an  open  door.  The 
strangeness  of  their  manner,  and  the  wonderful  earn- 
estness that  characterized  their  preaching,  attracted 
the  attention  of  the  people,  particularly  the  younger 
portion,  and  the  cabins  and  barns  where  they  held 
forth  were  crowded. 

Young  Gruber  listened  to  these  'circuit  preachers 
with  amazement ;  and  though  they  were  denounced 
by  the  staid  and  sober  Reformers  as  wild  and  fanat- 
ical, he  nevertheless  felt  strangely  drawn  to  their 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


11 


meetings.  There  was  such  a  fervor  in  their  prayers, 
and  such  a  zeal  and  earnestness  in  their  preaching, 
full  of  home,  practical  truths,  and  such  a  power  in 
their  songs,  that  he  was  entirely  fascinated,  and  soon 
became  convinced  of  the  need  of  conversion.  To 
obtain  a  thing  so  desirable,  he  made  a  solemn  vow 
that  he  would  pray  seven  times  a  day.  His  prayers 
for  a  change  of  heart  were  soon  answered,  and  with 
gladness  he  went  with  his  parents  to  the  place 
of  meeting,  and  with  them  joined  the  Methodist 
Church. 

The  names  of  the  preachers  who  traveled  the 
circuit  at  this  time  were  Simon  Miller  and  Isaac 
Robinson.  The  former  was  of  German  descent.  He 
was  a  man  of  genuine  piety  and  deep  experience, 
possessing  talents  as  a  preacher  much  above  medi- 
ocrity. He  could  preach  fluently  both  in  English 
and  German,  and  this  latter  qualification  gave  him 
an  easy  access  to  the  German  families.  Constrained 
by  the  love  of  Christ  to  preach  the  Gospel,  he  left 
a  home  of  affluence,  and  bidding  adieu  to  ease  and 
comfort,  cheerfully  endured  the  toils  and  hardships 
of  an  itinerant  life.  About  this  time  he  was  passing 
through  a  season  of  great  mental  depression.  He 
labored  under  great  discouragements  and  encoun- 


12  LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 

tered  violent  opposition.  Though  large  crowds  at- 
tended his  ministry,  he  was  not  satisfied  unless  he 
could  witness  the  fruits  of  his  labors  in  seeing  souls 
Qonverted  ;  and  the  prospect  of  success  being  gloomy, 
he  was  much  dispirited.  When  young  Gruber,  how- 
ever, was  converted  through  his  instrumentality  he 
was  greatly  comforted,  and  said  if  he  could  be 
successful  in  getting  one  such  soul  converted  it 
would  be  a  good  year's  work,  and  amply  compensate 
him  for  all  his  labor.  The  conversion  of  this  prom- 
ising young  man  was  not,  however,  the  only  fruit  of 
his  toil,  as  several  others  were  converted  and  added 
to  the  Chnrch.  The  revival  aroused  the  prejudices 
of  the  old  Church,  and  much  opposition  was  mani- 
fested among  the  Germans.  They  knew  nothing 
about  immediate  conversion,  and  their  religion  con- 
sisted mostly  in  a  certain  course  of  indoctrination  and 
the  observance  of  the  rites  of  the  Church.  Their 
ministers  had  taught  them,  that  when  they  were  bap- 
tized and  had  been  confirmed,  after  having  passed 
a  regular  course  of  catechetical  instruction,  and 
crowned  the  whole  by  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper,  they  were  converted,  and  none  could  call  in 
question  the  genuineness  of  their  religion.  Being 
thus  initiated  into  the  Church,  they  were  considered 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


13 


as  having  virtually  sworn  to  adhere  to  it  through  life. 
An  elder  of  the  German  Eeformed  Church  once 
said  to  the  mother  of  young  Gruber,  that  the  children 
must  be  in  religion  the  same  precisely  as  their  parents, 
even  if  the  parents  were  heathen. 

That  the  reader  may  have  a  still  more  correct 
description  of  the  religious  condition  of  this  particu- 
lar neighborhood,  we  give  an  account  prepared  by 
Gruber  himself.  He  says  :  "  The  Methodist  preach- 
ers came  into  the  neighborhood,  and  held  several 
meetings.  As  the  result  of  their  labors  a  revival 
commenced,  and  quite  a  number  of  persons  were 
converted  and  professed  a  knowledge  of  sins  for- 
given." Some  of  the  members  of  the  German  min- 
ister's Church  went  to  the  old  gentleman,  expressing 
a  desire  to  know  something  about  this  new  doctrine. 
In  reply  to  their  inquiries  about  the  knowledge  of 
forgiveness,  he  said:  "I  have  been  a  preacher  more 
than  twenty  years  and  I  do  not  know  my  sins  for- 
given, and  indeed  it  is  impossible  that  any  one 
should  know  it."  It  was  not  considered  very  won- 
derful by  some  that  this  preacher  should  be  in  dark- 
ness on  that  subject,  as  he  frequently  became  intoxi- 
cated; and  on  a  certain  occasion,  when  the  elders  were 
unable  to  procure  wine  for  the  sacrament,  he  re- 


14 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


marked  that  whisky  would  answer  just  as  well. 
One  of  the  elders  replied,  "That  would  be  ofiering 
strange  fire  on  God's  altar."  An  aged  woman,  a 
member  of  the  German  Church,  at  one  of  the  revival 
meetings  where  some  were  praising  God  for  having 
pardoned  their  sins,  stood  thouglitfull)'^  shaking  her 
head  and  said,  "It  could  not  be,  for  if  they  had  to 
answer  a  hundred  and  sixty  questions,  as  she  had 
before  she  got  religion,  they  would  learn  that  it 
could  not  be  obtained  in  such  quick  time." 

Among  the  early  itinerants  who  visited  Pennsyl- 
vania about  this  time  was  the  eccentric  Valentine 
Cook.  He  was  fresh  from  the  halls  of  Cokesbury 
College,  and  perhaps  the  first  native  college-bred  ^ 
preacher  that  had  appeared  in  the  American  Meth- 
odist Church.  College-bred  preachers  in  that  day 
were  held  in  the  highest  esteem,  and  a  learned  min- 
ister was  looked  up  to  with  great  veneration.  AVhen 
Cook  made  his  appearance,  and  it  was  rumored  that 
he  was  a  graduate  of  a  college,  he  attracted  general 
attention.  The  German  Keformed,  like  several  other 
Churches  we  could  name,  entertained  the  idea  that 
no  man  could  possibly  be  qualified  to  preach  who 
had  not  received  a  classical  education,  and  henco 
vastly  more  respect  was  paid  to  Cook  than  to  any  of 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


15 


liis  colleagues  in  the  ministry.  His  learning,  however, 
did  not  always  avail  to  insure  him  respect,  as  the  fol- 
lowing incident  will  show:  After  traveling  a  whole 
day  without  refreshment  in  a  region  where  he  was 
not  known,  he  called  a  halt  in  the  evening  at  the 
house  of  a  German  and  asked  if  he  could  obtain  feed 
for  his  horse  and  something  for  himself  to  eat.  Being 
a  tall,  gangling,  rough-looking  specimen  of  humanity, 
the  good  woman,  who  was  engaged  in  spinning,  mis- 
took him  not  for  a  German  but  an  Irishman.  She 
was  not  at  all  favorably  impressed  with  his  appear- 
ance, but  at  her  husband's  request  she  procured  a 
lunch  for  him  and  returned  to  her  wheel,  saying  to 
her  husband  somewhat  petulantly  in  German,  she 
hoped  the  Irishman  would  choke  in  eating.  After 
Cook  had  finished  his  repast  he  asked  the  privilege 
to  pray,  which  being  granted  he  knelt  down  and  of- 
fered up  a  fervent  petition  in  German.  In  his  prayer 
he  besought  the  Lord  to  bless  the  kind  woman  at  the 
wheel  and  give  her  a  new  heart,  that  she  might  be 
better  disposed  toward  strangers.  Such  a  personal 
reflection  was  more  than  the  good  woman  could  stand, 
and  she  left  her  wheel  and  ran  from  the  house  over- 
whelmed with  chagrin  at  her  wicked  wish. 
We  mention  these  incidents  for  the  purpose  of 


16 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


giving  the  reader  some  idea  of  the  times  in  which 
young  Gruber  commenced  his  religious  career. 
Being  a  sprightly  lad,  he  was  soon  called  out  to 
exercise  his  gifts  in  public  prayer  and  exhortation. 
As  usual  in  such  cases  in  an  early  day,  a  storm  of 
persecution  arose  not  only  from  those  who  were 
outside  of  the  Church  and  the  family,  but  such  as 
served  to  illustrate  the  declaration  that  "a  man's 
foes  shall  be  they  of  his  own  household."  Strange 
as  it  was,  the  father,  mother,  brothers,  and  sisters,  as 
if  by  one  consent,  rose  up  against  the  young  exhorter, 
and  he  was  obliged  to  leave  home  and  seek  more 
congenial  quarters  elsewhere.  Some  of  the  more 
zealous  Methodists  interpreted  this  differently  from 
what  young  Jacob  had  imagined,  and  persuaded  him 
that  it  was  a  clear  indication  of  Providence  tliat  it 
was  his  duty  to  abandon  everything  for  the  exclusive 
work  of-  the  ministry.  This  interpretation  of  provi- 
dence was  soon  after  verified.  As  he  was  on  his 
way  afoot  and  alone  to  the  town  of  Lancaster  he  met 
one  of  the  itinerants,  who  in  a  short  convei"sation  con- 
vinced him  of  the  duty  of  entering  upon  the  minis- 
try, and  sent  him  to  an  adjoining  circuit  to  fill  a  va- 
cancy. He  accordingly  procured  a  horse  and  went 
to  the  appointment.    There  was  some  diversity  of 


LIFE  01?  JACOB  GEUBEK. 


11 


opinion  about  the  propriety  of  this  course,  even 
among  the  preachers.  He  had  a  white  horse,  and 
one  of  them  jocosely  remarked  :  "  Well,  you  have 
got  on  the  pale  horse;  death  and  hell  will  follow  you; 
only  take  care  that  you  don't  let  them  get  before 
you."  Another  remarked  that  "  he  would  kill  him- 
self in  six  months;"  and  still  another  affii'med  that, 
such  was  his  zeal  and  physical  exertion,  "  one  month 
would  put  him  to  rest."  None  of  these  things, 
however,  seemed  to  move  this  young  son  of  Yulcan, 
(for  he  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,)  and,  as  before 
stated,  he  found  himself  at  the  place  of  holding  the 
conference,  in  the  year  1800. 

He  was  not,  however,  without  strange  imaginings ; 
and  as  the  conference  embraced  sickly  regions  in  its 
territory,  he  knew  not  but  he  might  be  sent  by  the 
intrepid  Asbury  to  some  one  of  these  localities,  if  for 
no  other  purpose  than  to  try  his  faith  and  mettle. 
Many  a  j'ouug  man  has  finished  his  course  in  one 
year's  service ;  but  not  so  with  Gruber.  He  had  a 
powerful  constitution,  an  iron  frame  capable  of  en- 
during an  amount  of  hardship,  labor,  and  fatigue 
which  made  him  the  wonder  of  all  his  ministerial 
companions.  He  had  some  intimations  that  he 
would  be  sent  down  to  Delaware;  but  when  the 

Jacob  Gruber.  cy 


18 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


appointments  were  announced  by  tlie  bislaop  his  name 
was  connected  with  Tioga  circnit.  "Instead,  there- 
fore, of  going  down,"  as  he  remarked,  "  I  had  to  go 

up — up.  rivers  and  mountains,  and  take  my  degrees 

« 

among  lakes,  rivers,  and  Indians." 

Habited  in  a  gray  suit  of  Quakerish  cut,  and  a 
drab  broad-brimmed  hat,  he  mounted  his  "white 
horse"  and  started  for  his  circuit.  Though  young 
and  inexperienced,  being  a  little  over  twenty  years 
of  age,  he  buckled  on  the  harness  like  a  good  soldier 
of  the  cross,  and  entered  the  field  of  itinerant  war- 
fare right  manfully.  "Without  a  colleague  to  whom 
he  might  look  for  advice,  and  from  whom  he  might 
receive  encouragement  in  the  arduous  and  difficult 
work  of  the  ministry,  he  showed  himself  worthy  of 
the  post  assigned  him,  and  heroically  encountered 
the  difficulties  and  met  the  responsibilities  of  a  large 
four  weeks'  circuit.  The  outlines  of  his  field  of  labor 
are  thus  given  by  himself:  "The  lower  part  of  the 
circuit  was  TY"ysock,  then  Towanda  and  Sugar  Creek, 
thence  up  the  Chemung  some  distance,  thence  up  the 
North  Branch  above  the  Great  Bend."  After  travel- 
ing for  six  months,  for  which  he  received  as  salary 
five  dollars  and  sixty-seven  cents,  his  presiding  elder 
relieved  him  by  appointing  another  preacher  in  his 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


19 


stead,  and  sending  him,  in  company  with  Father 
Anthony  Turck,  to  Herkimer  circuit,  to  which  had 
been  added  the  Mohawk  circuit,  embracing  all  the 
country  from  "Jericho  to  the  head,  waters  of  the 
Mohawk  Eiver." 

Father  Turck  was  a  native  of  New  York,  a  de- 
scendant of  one  of  the  Dutch  families  that  emigrated 
from  Holland.  He  was  received  into  the  traveling 
connection  in  1793,  at  the  conference  which  was  held 
in  Philadelphia.  He  was  a  man  of  great  zeal  and 
energy,  and  was  remarkably  successful  in  his  labors. 
He  died  March  13,  1803,  in  Freehold  circuit,  Mon- 
mouth county,  ISTew  Jersey. 

Gruber  gives  the  following  account  of  his  col- 
league: "Father  Turck  was  a  strict  disciplinarian. 
The  first  time  he  met  a  class  on  the  circuit  it  was  his 
custom  at  the  close  to  propose  the  following  ques- 
tions, and  insist  upon  definite  answers :  '  Are  you  all 
in  peace  with  each  other  ?'  '  Have  you  entire  con- 
fidence in  each  other!'  If  the  answers  were  satis- 
factory he  made  the  following  note  in  the  class-book : 
'  Examined  this  class  to-day ;  found  all  in  peace  and 
harmony ;  told  them  to  be  watchful  and  faithful  for 
the  time  to  come,  and  not  bring  complaints  against 
each  other  concerning  any  matters  that  occurred 


20 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


previously.'  He  thus  kept  bis  books  posted  every 
round." 

While  on  this  circuit  Gruber  fell  in  company  with 
a  young  man  who  at  times  lost  his  speech.  In  enter- 
ing into  conversation  with  him  he  learned  that  he 
was  converted  somewhere  in  the  East,  and  that  he 
was  soon  after  impressed  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
preach ;  but  refusing  to  obey  the  call  his  speech  was 
taken  from  him.  This  young  man  during  his  speak- 
ing intervals  could  pray  with  remarkable  fluency 
and  power,  and  his  exhortations  were  exceedingly 
appropriate  and  pointed.  When  his  speech  failed 
him  he  would  call  for  a  slate  and  write  his  thoughts, 
at  the  same  time  giving  the  reason  why  his  speech 
was  lost.  At  one  time  he  attended  the  preaching  of 
a  Universalist,  and  after  the  preacher  was  through  he 
rose  to  reply,  and  delivered  one  of  the  strongest  and 
most  eloquent  arguments  against  the  doctrine.  After 
the  meeting  he  was  beset  by  several  who  wished  to 
controvert  certain  points  with  him ;  but  his  speech 
was  gone,  and  they  could  not  get  a  word  in  reply. 
In  the  house  whei;e  he  boarded  tliere  was  a  young 
man  who  taught  school  in  the  neighborhood,  and 
annoyed  the  family  very  much  by  parading  his  learn- 
ing and  talking  about  nouns  and  pi'onouns,  verbs 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER, 


21 


and  logic,  occasionally  descanting  upon  physics. 
The  dumb  man  took  the  pedagogue  one  day  in  hand, 
and  administered  a.  severe  reproof  in  the  form  of  a 
lecture.  The  schoolmaster  felt  incensed,  and  rising 
from  his  seat  paced  the  I'oom ;  but  the  dumb  man 
followed  him,  increasing  in  severity.  Finding  no 
quarters  he  left  the  house,  but  his  persecutor  was  at 
his  heels,  using  his  speech  to  the  greatest  advantage 
while  it  lasted.  The  schoolmaster  started  upon  a 
run,  but  he  could  not  outstrip  his  enemy,  who 
shouted  in  his  ears :  "  Lord,  grant  that  his  logic  may 
lodge  in  his  heart,  and  that  his  physics  may  work  all 
sin  out  of  his  soul !" 

Gruber's  presiding  elder,  "William  M'Lenahan, 
was  a  warm-hearted  Irishman,  who  came  to  this 
country  in  his  youth.  In  1787  he  entered  the  itin- 
erancy, and  preached  with  power  and  unction. 
Great  success  attended  his  labors,  which  covered 
over  a  period  of  forty-five  years,  and  to  him,  with 
his  early  colleagues  in  the  ministry,  the  Church  is 
indebted  for  the  planting  of  Methodism  on  what  was 
then  known  as  the  frontiers.  It  is  a  standing  won- 
der that  the  laborious,  self-denying  pioneers  of 
Methodism  in  this  country  have  been  ignored,  both 
in  general  and  ecclesiastical  history,  with  but  few 


22 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GBUBER. 


exceptions,  and  all  we  can  find  of  tlieir  lives  and 
labors,  some  of  which  embraced  half  a  centmy,  is 
restricted  to  a  few  lines  in  the  General  Minutes  of  the 
Conferences  of  the  Methodist  Church.  This  may  be 
accounted  for,  perhaps,  so  far  as  the  Methodist  Church 
is  concerned,  in  the  example  of  Wesley,  who  gave  but 
the  most  meager  accounts  of  his  preachers,  a  course 
which  was  faithfully  followed  by  Asbury  and  his  co- 
adjutors in  the  early  history  of  the  Church  in  this 
country.  So  powerfully  had  this  sentiment  impressed 
itself  upon  the  minds  of  the  early  Methodist  preach- 
ers, that  an  old  pioneer,  just  now  looking  over  our 
shoulder  and  asking  what  we  were  doing,  on  being 
informed  that  we  were  writing  a  life  of  Gruber,  said : 
"  I  charge  you  not  to  say  a  word  about  me  when 
1  am  dead.  Let  the  simple  answer  be  appended  to 
the  question,  'Who  have  died  this  year?'  my  humble 
name;  and,"  added  he  with  emphasis,  "I  am  in 
earnest  about  this  matter,  and  you  will  find  my  re- 
quest recorded  on  the  journals  of  the  conference." 

This  we  regard  as  an  extreme  view  of  the  question 
of  biographj'.  Much  that  has  been  written,  we 
acknowledge,  has  been  of  a  highly  fulsome  character, 
and  a  great  deal  of  varnish  has  been  expended  to 
make  doubtful  characters  shine ;  but  that  is  no 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEB. 


23 


reason  why  legitimate  biography  should  not  hold  a 
most  important  place  in  the  literature  of  the  Church 
and  the  world.  History  teaches  by  examples,  and 
without  the  biographies  of  those  who  have  been 
identified  with  that  history  we  shall  be  without  the 
examples,  and  fail  of  the  instruction  imparted  there- 
by. Our  old  friend,  who  has  such  a  horror  of  biog- 
raphies, is  doubtless  laboring  under  the  impression 
that  they  must  be  so  thoroughly  eulogistic  as  to 
cover  over  all  defects,  and  present,  in  the  most  highly 
colored  and  favorable  light,  everything  pertaining  to 
private  and  public  life ;  that  nothing,  not  even  the 
slightest  error  in  judgment  or  improper  movement  in 
action  can  be  noticed.  So  have  we  not  learned  what 
constitutes  a  true  biography. 

The  second  year  of  our  young  itinerant's  ministry 
was  spent  on  the  Oneida  and  Cayuga  circuit,  em- 
bracing a  large  field  in  "Western  'New  York.  Vast 
tracts  of  wilderness  interposed  between  the  appoint- 
ments, and  new  hardships  were  to  be  endured. 
Nothing  daunted,  he  scaled  the  mountains,  penetrat- 
ed the  woods,  and  sought  the  cabins  nestled  among 
them,  that  he  might  preach  the  Gospel  to  their 
inmates.  Here  he  labored  with  the  most  unremitting 
zeal  and  diligence.  ^  Through  his  fervent  appeals 


24 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


many  were  awakened  and  converted,  and  accessions 
were  made  to  tlie  several  appointments  in  the  widely 
extended  circuit. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  Howe,  an  old  itinerant,  relates 
an  incident  illustrative  of  Gruber's  power  in  prayer. 
At  a  quarterly  meeting  held  in  a  barn  in  this  part 
of  the  country,  after  a  most  impressive  and  power- 
ful sermon  from  the  presiding  elder,  M'Lenahan, 
Gruber  engaged  in  prayer,  "  It  seemed,"  says 
Father  Howe,  "  to  resemble  the  day  of  Pentecost ; 
the  barn  was  shaken,  and  the  people  simultaneously 
sprang  to  their  feet,  while  shouts  of  joy  and  cries  for 
mercy  filled  the  place.  Many  fell  to  the  floor,  and 
others  were  filled  with  fear  and  fled  in  the  greatest 
consternation." 

In  the  year  1802  he  was  sent  to  Dauphin  circuit 
alone,  and  traveled  it,  preaching  from  appointment 
to  appointment,  for  about  three  months,  at  the  close 
of  which  time  he  was  removed  to  Huntington  cir- 
cuit. His  field  embraced  "Woodcock  Yalley,  Bloody 
Run,  Bedford,  Deming's  Creek,  Morrison's  Cove, 
Frankstown,  "Warrior's  Mark,  Half  Moon,  Stone 
Valley,  Manor  Hill,  "Warrior's  Ridge,  and  Hunting^ 
ton.  In  writing .  about  this  circuit  he  says:  "We 
had  a  wilderness  to  clear  and  cultivate.    The  hand- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETJBER. 


25 


fill  of  corn  among  the  mountains  grew,  the  Lord 
gave  the  increase,  and  we  gave  him  the  glory  in  the 
public  congregations,  and  frequently  in  loud  shouts 
in  family  worship.  Truly  we  had  times  of  refresh- 
ing from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Many  of  the 
converts  have  gone  to  heaven.  I  hope  to  overtake 
them,  and  be  forever  with  the  Lord  in  glory."  The 
extent  of  his  field  of  labor  may  be  learned  from  his 
statement,  that  in  two  years  he  traveled  from  Tioga 
Point  to  the  head  of  the  Isorth  Branch,  then  to  the 
head  of  the  Mohawk  Kiver  from  Jericho  to  Coopei's- 
town,  thence  to  Utica  and  Rome,  and  from  thence 
to  Paris,  Geneva,  and  Jerusalem,  including  all  inter- 
mediate points. 

At  a  certain  place  on  this  circuit  there  lived  a 
man  who  had  been  in  great  distress  of  mind,  border- 
ing on  despair.  He  wept  much  and  prayed  almost 
constantly,  but  found  no  relief.  He  was  visited  by 
Gruber,  who  conversed  with  him  for  a  considerable 
length  of  time,  quoting  such  passages  of  the  Bible  as 
were  applicable  to  his  case.  He  could  not,  how- 
ever, be  persuaded  that  any  promise  was  for  hira,  as 
he  believed  his  day  of  mercy  and  hope  were  gone 
forever.  The  following  colloquy  then  ensued  between 
Gruber  and  the  despairing  man : 


26 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTJBER. 


"  What  will  become  of  you  ?" 
"  I  shall  be  lost." 
"  "Where  will  you  go  ?" 
"To  hell." 

"  But  if  you  go  there  you  will  have  it  all  to  your- 
self." 

"  What  do  you  mean  V 

"I  mean  just  what  I  say:  if  you  go  to  hell  weep- 
ing and  praying  you  will  scare  all  the  devils  away, 
for  I  never  heard  or  read  of  one  going  to  hell  weep- 
ing and  praying." 

At  this  a  smile  came  over  his  face  like  sunshine 
on  a  cloud ;  his  despair  was  gone,  and  hope  full  and 
joyous  sprung  up  in  his  soul. 

On  the  banks  of  the  Mohawk  River,  a  few  miles 
below  Fort  Schuyler,  there  lived  a  pious  old  German. 
He  took  up  his  residence  at  that  place  before  the 
Mohawk  Indians  left  that  region.  His  contact  with 
the  Indians,  and  the  intimate  relations  which  sprung 
up  between  them,  enabled  him  to  become  acquainted 
with  their  habits  and  language.  In  his  conversation 
he  would  mix  up  German,  English,  and  Indian, 
Gruber  paid  him  a  visit,  and  as  the  old  man  had 
heard  of  him  he  was  highly  pleased  to  see  him,  and 
invited  him  to  accompany  him  to  a  German  settle- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


27 


ment  a  few  miles  down  the  river.  An  appointment 
was  made,  and  a  large  congregation  collected  in  the 
barn.  Gruber  preached  to  them  in  German,  and  his 
discourse  was  well  received.  This  old  German 
Indian  was  deeply  pious;  he  would  begin  to  pray 
before  day-break,  and  continue  until  he  had  dressed 
and  left  his  room,  and  in  so  loud  a  tone  as  to  be 
heard  all  over  the  house.  He  had  a  son-in-law  who 
drank  too  freely  sometimes.  One  day,  while  they 
were  together  in  the  woods,  the  old  man  said : 

"  Jimmy,  I  want  to  ax  you  a  question,  answer  me, 
Which  you  love  best,  rum  or  your  soul  ?" 

"  I  love  my  soul  best." 

"  Jimmy,  you  be  a  liar  before  God  and  man." 

A  family  resided  not  far  from  Fort  Stanwix  which 
Gruber  thus  describes  :  "  There  was  a  happy  family 
composed  of  three  persons,  one  man  and  two  womeru 
Some  compared  them  to  Martha,  Mary,  and  Lazarus. 
The  man  was  the  husband  of  Hannah,  and  Peggy 
was  her  sister.  They  lived  in  great  peace  and  hap- 
piness. At  length  there  came  along  Lorenzo  Dow, 
who  took  away  Peggy  and  broke  up  the  household, 
as  the  husband  and  Hannah  started  out  with  the  wan- 
dering preacher  and  never  after  had  a  home.  The 
wife  came  to  disgrace,  and  Peggy  published  it  to  the 


28 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


world,  without,  however,  stating,  as  she  should  have 
done,  that  the  cosmopolite  Dow  had  lured  them  from 
their  happy  home.  The  last  account  I  had  of  Dow 
was  that  he  was  buried  by  the  Odd  Fellows,  a  name 
which  suited  him  admirably  from  the  crown  of  his 
head  to  the  sole  of  his  foot,  including  his  long  beard. 
Peace  to  his  dust,  and  may  we  never  see  his  like 
again." 

An  Indian  exhorter  lived  in  this  neighborhood, 
who  frequently  addressed  large  congregations.  On 
one  occasion  he  remarked  that  some  white  men  had 
said  they  did  not  want  to  go  to  heaven  if  Indians 
went  there.  "  Very  well,"  said  the  Indian,  "  what 
will  they  do?  If  they  are  not  willing  to  go  to 
heaven  with  religious  Indians,  they  must  go  to 
hell  with  drunken  Indians  ;  they  may  have  their 
choice." 

In  1804  Gruber  was  sent  to  Carlisle  circuit,  which 
was  included  in  the  Baltimore  Conference.  This 
was  also  a  large  and  laborious  field.  Henry  Boehm, 
like  himself  of  German  descent,  was  his  colleague. 
Boehm  subsequently  became  the  traveling  com- 
panion of  Bishop  Asbury,  a  successful  and  popular 
preacher.  He  is  still  living  in  the  enjoyment  of  a 
green  old  age,  and  waiting  for  his  release  from  earth 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


29 


to  join  the  pioneer  band  who  have  "  crossed  the 
flood  "  and  entered  the  promised  inheritance.  Like 
the  Methodist  preachers  of  olden  time,  Gruber  car- 
ried a  lot  of  books  in  his  saddle-bags  for  sale  among 
the  people.  The  Methodist  catalogue  was  not  very 
extensive  in  those  days,  but  what  books  were  pub- 
lished were  full  of  practical  piety.  In  addition  to 
the  Hymn  Book  and  Discipline,  with  which  the 
preachers  were  always  supplied,  and  which  they 
were  required  to  circulate  among  the  people,  were, 
Wesley's  Sermons  and  Notes,  "The  Experience  of 
Preachers,"  "  Life  of  Hester  Ann  Rogers,"  "  Thomas 
a  Kempis,"  "  Saint's  Everlasting  Eest,"  and  portions 
of  "  Fletcher's  Checks  to  Antinomianisra."  A  taste 
for  reading  was  thus  cultivated  among  the  people, 
which  has  proved  of  immense  service  in  raising  the 
standard  of  education  and  scriptural  piety.  Such 
has  been  the  result  of  this  policy  of  AVesley  in 
requiring  the  preachers  to  sell  books,  that  we  doubt 
if  there  is  a  denomination  in  the  world  which  buys 
and  reads  more  books  than  the  Methodists.  Certain 
it  is  that  it  has  outstripped  every  other  denomination 
in  the  business  of  publishing  religious  books,  and  its 
immense  Book  Concern  is  the  next  in  size  and 
resources  to  the  largest  in  the  United  States,    lu  the 


30 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


days  of  Gruber  Methodist  literature  'was  in  its 
infancy,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  "  Arminian 
Magazine,"  published  by  Wesley  in  London,  there 
were  no  Church  periodicals.  What  few  works  the 
Methodists  had  of  a  denominational  character  were 
well  read,  and  they  thus  became  thoroughly  in- 
doctrinated. Next  to  the  Bible,  the  Discipline, 
and  Wesley's  Tracts  which  were  bound  up  with  it, 
furnished  the  armory  from  whence  the  itinerants 
of  those  days  drew  the  weapons  of  their  spiritual 
warfare. 

At  the  next  Conference  Gruber  was  sent  to  the 
Winchester  circuit,  having  for  a  colleague  a  young 
man  by  the  name  of  Richards.  This  young  itinerant 
in  a  great  measure  destroyed  his  usefulness  by  get- 
ting the  crotchet  in  his  head  that,  to  maintain  min- 
isterial dignity,  he  must  put  on  some  extra  aire  of 
reserve  and  sanctity.  Not  being  afflicted  with  the 
dyspepsia,  which  invariably  gives  a  somber  hue  to 
the  countenance,  it  became  necessary  for  liim  to 
assume  a  solemn  appearance.  A  "sad  countenance," 
as  our  old  English  version  has  it,  in  the  description 
of  the  Pharisees  in  the  days  of  the  Saviour,  has  never 
been  regarded  as  the  true  index  of  spirituality.  One 
of  the  old  preacliers  who  had  outlived  his  day,  and  was 


LU'E  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


31 


constantly  playing  iipon  the  thousand-stringed  harp, 
"  Ye  are  fallen  !  ye  are  fallen  !"  remarked  on  a  cer- 
tain occasion  that  he  wished  some  of  the  old  preachers 
were  as  solemn  as  that  young  man.  Bishop  Asbury, 
who  was  present  when  this  remark  was  made, 
smilingly  said :  "  Do  you  make  any  allowance  for 
solids  and  fluids  ?"  When  the  dyspepsia  became  a 
fashionable  complaint  among  preachers  such  an 
allowance  was  made.  We  recollect  a  reply  once 
made  by  a  light-hearted,  joyous,  talented  young 
preacher  to  a  pious  lady,  who  reprovingly  said  to 
him  :  *'  I  wish  you  would  be  as  serious  as  Brother  C." 
"  Ah  !"  said  the  young  brother,  laughingly,  "  when  I 
get  the  dyspepsia  as  bad  as  he  has  it  I  will,  no 
doubt,  be  equally  serious." 

Religion  is  the  sunlight  of  the  soul,  and  irradiates 
with  brightness  and  beauty  the  medium  through 
which  it  shines.  A  "sad  countenance"  indicates  a 
sad  heart ;  but  as  religion  is  "joy  unspeakable  and 
fullness  of  glory,"  all  gloom  and  despondency  are  • 
driven  away  by  the  brightness  of  its  coming. 

Gruber  relates  the  following  in  one  of  his  letters 
respecting  his  colleague :  "  This  young  man  preached 
very  nice,  well-connected  sermons,  fifteen  or  twenty 
minutes  long.    He  was  very  studious.   Take  the  fol- 


32 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


lowing  for  an  example :  A  gentleman  asked  him  to 
stop  and  dine  with  him,  his  house  being  directly  on 
the  route  to  the  preacher's  afternoon  appointment. 
When  they  arrived  at  the  house  he  was  shown  into  a 
room,  and  requested  to  be  seated  until  his  host  should 
take  his  horse  and  feed  him.  What  was  the  surprise 
of  the  hospitable  friend  when,  on  returning  to  the 
house,  he  met  the  young  preacher  coming  out  with 
his  saddle-bags  on  his  arm.  In  a  somewhat  excited 
manner  he  asked,  '  Where  is  my  horee  V 

"  '  Why,  Mr.  Richards,  you  must  not  go  away  ;  I 
expect  you  to  stay  for  dinner.' 

"  He  replied, '  I  cannot  stay  here.  There  are  young 
persons  in  another  room  laughing  and  talking,  who 
interrupt  me  in  my  studies.  Did  you  not  know  I  was 
a  minister  ?  Why  would  you  sufl'er  me  to  be  insulted 
in  this  way  ?' 

"  All  the  persuasion  of  the  gentleman  to  have  him 
remain,  added  to  the  assurance  that  he  would  quiet 
the  young  people  in  the  next  room,  w^as  of  no  avail ; 
and  having  obtained  his  horse,  be  mounted  him  and 
was  away.' 

This  "  studioiis"  young  man  may  serve  as  a  type 
of  many  young  ministers  we  have  known.  Not  ex- 
actly as  it  relates  to  studious  habits,  however,  nor 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


33 


yet  to  wonderful  seriousness,  were  they  like  Gruber's 
colleague;  but  in  the  ridiculous  assumption  of  supe- 
riority, and  the  supercilious  airs  which  they  put  on. 

Bishop  Asbury  sent  this  young  divine  to  the  lake 
country,  and  from  thence  as  a  missionary  to  Canada. 
Gruber's  account  of  him  is  that,  while  in  Canada,  he 
left  his  circuit  and  went  over  to  his  grandmother, 
(meaning  the  Eoman  Catholic  Church,)  and  that  the 
last  intelligence  he  had  from  him  was  that  he  had 
got  among  the  nuns,  with  the  sobriquet  Father  Rich- 
ards, and  had  become  quite  fat  and  jolly,  with  plenty 
of  leisure  to  pursue  his  studies.  Traveling  a  circuit 
affords  a  fine  opportunity  for  becoming  acquainted 
with  human  nature  in  all  its  phases,  and  Gruber's 
acuteness  and  hard  common  sense  enabled  him  to 
profit  by  all  that  he  saw  and  heard. 

One  of  his  early  colleagues,  who  was  acquainted 
with  yoimg  Richards,  being  in  Canada  many  years 
after,,paid  a  visit  to  the  reverend  father  at  his  resi- 
dence adjoining  a  Catholic  seminary,  near  Montreal. 
On  his  way  he  met  a  lady  of  the  establishment  who 
conducted  him  to  his  presence.  They  found  him  sit- 
ting by  a  window  enjoying  the  cooling  breeze  on  a 
summer  morning.  His  face  was  fat  and  rubicund, 
and  he  seemed  as  one  who  enjoyed  the  good  things 

Jttcob  Qruber.  3 


34 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


of  this  life.  Before  the  visitor  had  time  to  speak  to 
the  priest,  he  rose  abruptly  and  left  the  window. 
Fully  expecting  that  he  had  been  recognized,  and 
would  be  met  at  the  door  and  welcomed,  he  ad- 
vanced, but  it  opened  not.  After  waiting  a  while  he 
knocked.  Soon  a  servant  appeared,  and  on  being 
asked  if  Father  Richards  was  in  he  replied :  "  I 
believe  he  is  not,  sir  ;  but  I  will  see."  After  a  short 
absence  he  returned,  and  said,  "  Father  Richards  is 
not  in."  Unwilling  to  be  thus  disconcerted,  he  re- 
plied :  "  But  I  know  he  is  in,  for  I  saw  him  at  the 
window  but  a  few  minutes  since."  "I  will  look 
again,  sir,"  he  said,  and  went  away.  After  remain- 
ing a  longer  time  he  returned,  and  declared  positively 
that  he  was  not  at  home.    Thus  ended  the  visit. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


35 


CHAPTER  n. 

Bishop  George  —  Story  of  "Bishop  George  and  the  Young  Preacher " 
unfounded  —  Young  Americas — Kockingham — James  Ward  — 
Kevival — ^  Strange  Exercises  —  Gruber  made  Presiding  Elder  — 
Camp-meetings — Letter  to  Dr.  Coke  from  a  Presbyterian  Minister 
—  Water  and  Fire — Lost  in  the  Mountains  —  Death  at  a  Camp- 
meeting  —  Wonderful  Exercises  —  Presbyterians  shouting  —  A  Young 
Divine  seeking  a  Call  —  A  Family  Quarrel  settled  —  An  eccentric  Local 
Preacher —  A  Backwoods  College  —  Master  Workman —  Books  of  the 
Bar  —  Getting  happy  before  the  Time  —  Description  of  Solomon's 
Temple  —  Coughing  up  the  Negroes  —  A  Slave-trader — Strangers 
tested  by  Prayer — A  good  Master  —  Wicked  Elders. 

In  1806  he  was  sent  to  "Winchester  circuit  in  com- 
pany with  a  young  man  who,  it  seems,  followed  in 
the  wake  of  his  last  colleague  and  withdrew  from  the 
Church.  His  presiding  elder  this  year  was  Enoch 
George,  who  had  been  fifteen  years  in  the  traveling 
connection.  He  was  subsequently  elected  bishop, 
and  was  remarkable  for  his  deep  piety  and  great 
simplicity  of  manners.  As  a  preacher  his  discourses 
abounded  with  pathos  and  power,  and  he  was  emi- 
nently successful.  Many  incidents  are  related  of  this 
good  man.  A  story  admirably  related,  which  went 
the  rounds  of  the  press  many  years  ago,  entitled 


36 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


"Bishop  George  and  the  Young  Preacher,"  was 
ascertained  to  be  wholly  apocryphal.  It  had  no 
foundation  in  fact,  and  yet  was  so  full  of  life  and  so 
natural  in  its  features  that  it  could  easily  be  taken 
for  a  veritable  narrative. 

Gruber  enjoyed  the  quarterly  visitations  of  the 
pious  and  unassuming  George,  and  sat  at  his  feet 
with  the  docility  of  a  child,  to  receive  the  lessons  of 
wisdom  which  his  elder  was  ever  ready  to  impart. 
In  this  fast  age  the  opinions  of  the  fathers  are  of  but 
little  worth,  and  young  men  with  a  smattering  of 
learning,  and  vast  resources  of  newspaper  lore,  are 
entirely  too  knowing  to  seek  instruction  from  their 
elders.  The  young  Americas  of  Gruber's  day,  who 
regarded  age  as  a  synonym  of  fogyism,  and  opposed 
to  all  progress,  constituted  an  exception  to  that  class. 
Now,  however,  the  exception  is  on  the  other  side. 
The  good  Bishop  George  served  the  Church  for  a 
period  of  thirty-eight  years,  and  effectually  impressed 
Lis  mind  upon  many  of  the  young  preachers  of  that 
day.  He  closed  his  labors  with  his  life  in  Staunton, 
Virginia,  August  23,  1828.  His  death  furnished  a 
remarkable  evidence  of  the  power  of  religion.  To 
his  brethren  in  the  ministry  who  visited  him  he 
said,  "  Rejoice  with  me,  I  am  going  to  glory.    I  have 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


37 


been  many  years  trying  to  lead  others  to  glory,  and 

now  thither  I  am  going."    Such  a  living  example 

and  such  a  triumphant  death  were  a  legacy  to  the 

Church  beyond  all  price. 

Having  finished  his  year  on  Winchester  circuitjTiru- 
« 

ber  was  appointed  next  to  Rockingham.  This  circuit 
was  included  in  the  Greenbrier  district,  which  was 
presided  over  by  James  Ward,  a  man  of  great  zeal. 
The  meetings  which  were  lield  at  the  different  ap- 
pointments were  represented  by  Gruber  as  "  good 
and  great."  In  describing  his  presiding  elder  he 
remarked  :  "  Some  said  he  always  preached  till  he 
got  some  to  cry  or  shout."  The  public  mind  had 
been  stirred  during  his  time  by  the  great  revival  at 
the  Cane  Ridge  camp-meetings  in  Kentucky,  and 
wliich  now,  after  the  lapse  of  more  than  half  a  cen- 
tury, are  reproduced  in  the  revivals  at  Ballymena, 
Ireland.  The  people  attended  meetings  in  great 
numbers,  and  wonderful  results  had  been  witnessed. 
Anxious  that  the  same  excitement  might  be  expe- 
rienced by  the  people,  the  elder  would  collect  at 
his  quarterly  appointments  tlie  most  zealous  exhort- 
ers,  preachers,  and  laymen  from  difi"erent  parts  of 
the  district.  Gruber  had  never  witnessed  the  strange 
exercises  attending  the  Kentucky  camp-meetings, 


88 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETJBER. 


and  when  tlie  opportunity  presented  itself,  wliicli  it 
did  at  several  of  the  appointments,  be  was  greatly 
surprised.  He  thus  describes  the  "jerks,"  as  they 
were  called  :  "  Different  classes  of  pereons  had  them, 
men  and  women.  Some  were  happy  tinder  this 
strange  excitement,  while  others  were  miserable. 
Their  heads  would  shake  in  quick  motion  backward 
and  forward  till  the  person  would  fall.  Some  would 
sit  down,  others  would  stand  it  out  though  agitated 
and  all  in  commotion  from  head  to  foot.  Some  of 
the  preachera  spoke  against  this  exercise  as  they  did 
against  shouting,  and  hurt  the  feelings  of  sincere 
persons  without  doing  good  to  any."  The  year  on 
this  circuit  was  closed  by  a  great  camp-meeting 
which  was  attended  by  thousands,  and  resulted  in 
the  conversion  of  a  large  number. 

A  Presbyterian  minister  in  Kentucky,  writing 
to  Dr.  Coke  in  1802,  says  of  these  meetings,  and  the 
wonderful  conversions  attending  them  :  "  This  glori- 
ous work  has  disseminated  a  principle  of  love 
through  the  hearts  of  all  Christians.  Bigotry  and 
prejudice  have  received  a  death-wound ;  names, 
parties,  and  divisions  seem  to  subside  totally.  Pres- 
byterians and  Methodists  love  one  another,  they 
preach  together,  and  commune  together,  and  niu- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


39 


tually  rejoice  to  see  the  work  of  the  Lord  go  for- 
ward." We  might  here  remark  that  this  cathohcity 
of  feeling  constitutes  one  of  the  strongest  evidences 
of  the  genuineness  of  the  work.  The  prayer  of 
Christ  that  "  all  might  be  one"  is  thus  fulfilled. 

He  had  now  been  six  years  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  and  had  exhibited  such  good  proof  of  his 
fidelity  and  success  that  the  good  Bishop  Asbury 
deemed  him  qualified  for  the  more  responsible  post 
of  presiding  elder,  and  accordingly,  in  the  year  1807 
he  was  appointed  to  the  presidency  of  Greenbrier 
district.  It  embraced  a  wild  region  of  country  in 
Yirginia,  said  to  be  the  roughest  in  the  bounds  of  the 
Baltimore  Conference.  It  extended  into  North  Caro- 
lina, taking  in  its  sweep  the  wildest  portions  of  the 
Cumberland  Mountains  and  Tygart's  Yalley.  To 
use  his  own  language,  he  had  "  hard  work,  rough 
fare,  and  bad  roads ;"  but  by  way  of  ofiset  to 
these  disadvantages  he  had  "great  meetings." 
Toward  the  close  of  the  year  camp-meetings  were 
held  on  every  circuit,  of  which  there  were  eight.  At 
these  camp-meetings  hundreds  were  converted.  In- 
deed, a  eamp-meeting  in  those  days,  without  numer- 
ous conversions  and  large  accessions  to  the  Church, 
would  have  been  a  much  greater  wonder  than  to 


40 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK. 


witness  such  a  revival  at  our  fashionable  camp-meet- 
ing picnics  of  the  present  day. 

At  that  time  even  a  quarterly  meeting  was  con- 
sidered dull  and  profitless  indeed,  unless  souls  were 
converted  and  added  to  the  Church,  and  a  revival 
inaugurated  for  the  coming  quarter.  In  describing 
these  camp-meetings  Gruber  said :  "Some  complained 
about  too  much  wildfire,  and  called  the  preachei's  the 
fire  company ;  but  we  wanted  fire  that  would  warm 
and  melt,  not  tame  fire,  fox  fire,  and  the  like.  Some 
say  ice  is  water  fallen  asleep.  Some  cry.  Water,  water, 
till  all  the  fire  is  put  out  and  nothing  but  ice  remains. 
Then  it  is  a  cold  time,  a  winter  state  truly."  During 
the  three  years  on  this  district  he  experienced  many 
hardships,  enough  to  try  the  faith  of  the  most  stern 
and  sturdy  in  the  itinerant  ranks.  In  describing  his 
labors  he  says :  "  My  travels  among  the  Pendleton 
and  Greenbrier  Mountains  were  hard  and  severe. 
One  very  cold  night  in  the  winter  I  took  a  path  for 
a  near  way  to  my  stopping  place,  but  got  out  of  my 
course,  wandered  about  among  the  hills  and  mount- 
ains, and  went  to  the  top  of  one  of  them  to  see  clear- 
ings, or  hear  dogs  bark,  or  roosters  crow,  but  all  in 
vain.  After  midnight  the  moon  arose ;  I  could  then 
see  my  track.   The  snow  was  knee  deep,  and  I  went 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


41 


back  till  I  got  into  the  right  course,  and  reached  my 
lodgings  between  four  and  five  o'clock  in  the  morning. 
The  family  was  alarmed,  and  said  I  was  late,  but  I 
called  it  early.  After  lying  down  and  sleeping  a 
little  I  arose  and,  getting  breakfast,  departed  on  my 
day's  journey,  filling  two  appointments." 

At  the  end  of  his  first  year  on  the  district  he  had 
a  line  of  appointments  reaching  to  Baltimore.  On 
his  route  he  passed  through  Tygart's  "Valley  to  the 
head  of  the  Greenbrier  River,  a  wild,  mountainous 
region,  traversed  by  a  dim  path.  Not  a  single  cabin 
was  to  be  found  in  a  distance  of  twenty  miles.  He 
struck  for  the  mountain  on  the  path  about  ten  o'clock, 
but  had  not  proceeded  many  miles  until  he  found  it 
covered  up  knee-deep  in  snow,  and  not  a  single  track 
to  be  seen.  He  picked  his  way,  however,  as  best  he 
could,  and  traveled  on.  During  the  day  it  began  to 
rain,  which  rendered  his  journey  still  more  uncomfort- 
able. At  length  he  reached  Cheat  River,  and  found  it 
considerably  swollen,  with  ice  in  the  middle.  When  he 
reached  the  ice  it  was  with  difficulty  he  dismounted, 
and  then  making  his  horse  leap  upon  it,  he  again 
mounted.  The  ice  did  not  break,  and  he  was  enabled 
to  reach  the  other  shore  with  little  difficulty.  He  then 
proceeded  on  his  journey,  and  traveled  bn  in  the  woods 


42 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


until  night  overtook  him,  when  he  lost  his  path  and 
became  entangled  in  the  forest.  The  rain,  which  had 
been  pouring  down,  now  changed  into  snow,  and  the 
wind  blew  furiously.  Besides  all  this,  it  was  becoming 
increasingly  cold.  "What  to  do  he  knew  not,  except 
to  pray.  The  night  was  spent  sitting  on  his  horse. 
Above  the  roar  of  the  storm  he  could  hear  the  scream 
of  the  panther  and  the  howl  of  the  wolf.  It  was  a 
dreadful  night,  but  morning  came,  and  with  it  he 
found  the  path,  and  reached  the  Greenbrier  River 
about  ten  o'clock,  which  he  crossed,  and  in  a  short 
time  found  himself  at  the  house  of  a  friend.  The 
family  were  alarmed  at  seeing  him,  and  expressed 
their  surprise  at  his  undertaking  so  perilous  a  journey, 
as  no  person  had  been  known  to  pass  through  that 
portion  of  the  wilderness  before  in  winter.  Neither 
himself  or  horse  had  tasted  a  morsel  of  food  since  they 
started,  but  they  were  both  inured  to  hardships  and 
suffered  but  little  in  consequence.  After  obtaining 
some  refreshment  he  started  to  his  appointment, 
thankful  for  his  escape  from  the  dangers  through 
which  he  had  passed. 

In  his  letters  be  relates  some  wonderful  incidents 
occurring  at  meetings.  Among  the  most  remarkable 
he  states  that  at  one  of  his  meetings  a  lady  "  was  so 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


43 


powerfully  blessed  that  the  vessel  broke,  and  the  ran- 
somed spirit  "went  home  to  glory.  She  shouted  with 
her  expiring  breath,  and  left  her  friends  below." 
Another  lady  who  was  in  declining  health  desired  to 
be  taken  to  the  camp  ground  that  she  might  go  to 
heaven  from  that  spot.  She  was  accordingly  taken, 
and  "  in  transports  of  joy  she  went  up  to  join  the  song 
of  the  redeemed." 

Other  strange  things  occurred  at  his  camp-meetings 
which  he  describes.  The  exercises  assumed  a  differ- 
ent aspect  at  different  times  and  places.  Strange  and 
unaccountable  as  were  the  jerks,  they  were,  if  any- 
thing, outdone  in  the  running,  jumping,  whirling, 
dancing,  pointing,  and  crying  exercises.  When  he 
was  called  upon  to  explain  these  things,  he  replied, 
"  I  can't  explain  what  I  don't  understand.  If  those 
who  have  them  cannot  understand  them  how  is  it 
possible  for  me  to  unravel  the  mystery.  I  am  not 
under  obligations  to  analyze  or  methodize  these  exer- 
cises, having  no  tools  for  that  work." 

At  one  of  the  Greenbrier  camp-meetings  there  were 
several  Presbyterian  families  encamped  on  the  ground. 
In  one  of  their  tents  there  was  much  praying  and 
shouting.  This  surprised  everybody.  The  idea  of 
staid  and  sober  Presbyterians  encamping  with  the 


44 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


Methodists  was  novel  enough  of  itself;  but  that  they 
should  pray,  and  sing,  and  shout  like  the  Methodists 
was  incomprehensible.  Gruber  said  to  them :  "  Why, 
my  dear  friends,  in  this  place  your  people  would 
not  own  you ;  you  make  too  much  noise,  and  you 
know  your  method  is  to  '  have  everything  done 
decently  and  in  order.'  You  are  certainly  out  of 
order  now."  He  then  asked  them  who  their  preacher 
was.  To  this  they  replied  :  "  We  have  no  preacher ; 
we  have  prayer-meetings,  and  meet  with  the  Meth- 
odists. We  have  occasional  supplies, -but  no  stated 
preaching.  A  young  minister  once  came  among  us 
hunting  a  call.  He  read  a  sermon,  and  had  so  much 
the  appearance  of  a  dandy  that  we  took  the  liberty  to 
question  him  in  relation  to  his  call  to  the  ministry. 
One  of  our  elders  asked  him  if  he  had  ever  been  con- 
verted. At  this  he  became  quite  excited,  and  replied 
that  he  had  come  to  preach  to  them,  and  not  to  be 
examined  by  them.  The  elder  said  to  him :  '  If  you 
have  not  been  converted  we  do  not  wisli  you  to 
preach  to  us.' "  The  result  was  that  the  young  divine 
left  without  a  call  from  that  people. 

At  this  meeting  an  old  Presbyterian  clergy- 
man was  called  upon  to  jjreach.  After  ho  Ijad 
got  fully  under  way  and  warmed  up  the  congre- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


45 


gation  caught  the  excitement,  and  several  fell  to 
the  ground.  It  was  not  long  before  the  vener- 
able man  liimself  measured  his  full  length  in  the 
stand.  This  created  great  surprise  among  his 
people.  When  he  returned  to  his  congregation 
after  the  camp-meeting  his  preaching  was  so  dif- 
ferent, so  full  of  life,  animation,  and  power,  that 
the  elders  of  the  Church  became  alarmed,  and  in- 
quired of  him  if  he  had  not  become  a  ]!^"ew  Light. 
"No,"  said  he  very  meekly;  "it  is  the  same  old 
light,  but  newly  snuffed." 

While  Gruber  was  on  the  Greenbrier  district  many 
interesting  incidents  occurred  which  are  worthy  of 
note.  A  difficulty,  unhappily,  originated  in  Rocking- 
ham between  two  leading,  members  of  the  Church ; 
one  of  them  was  an  old  member,  and  the  other  a 
class-leader.  They  stood  related  to  each  other  as 
father-in-law  and  son-in-law.  They  had  become  so 
estranged  that,  though  they  often  met  at  church  and 
elsewhere,  they  were  not  on  speaking  terms.  At  a 
camp-meeting  on  the  circuit,  where  each  of  them  had 
a  tent,  it  occurred  to  Gruber  that  a  reconciliatioa 
might  be  effected,  and  he  laid  his  plans  accordingly. 
As  the  meeting  progressed,  and  the  tide  of  religious 
feeling  rose  among  the  membership,  he  noticed  that 


46 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


notwithstanding  the  alienation  of  feeling  existing  be- 
tween the  belligerent  brethren  they  were  both  in  a 
pleasant  frame  of  mind.  During  the  interval  of  the 
public  services  Gruber  went  to  the  tent  of  the  son- 
in-law  and  requested  him  and  his  wife  to  take  a  walk. 

"Where  do  you  wish  us  to  go?"  said  the  class- 
leader. 

"  To  the  tent  of  your  wife's  father,"  responded 
Gruber, 

"  We  beg  you  to  excuse  us,  Brother  Gruber." 
"  No,"  said  the  elder ;  "  no  excuse,  you  must  go 
with  me." 

"  If  we  must  go,  then,"  said  the  leader,  "  we  will 
meet  him  in  the  woods,  outside  of  the  tents." 

"  Very  well.  You  and  your  wife  take  a  westerly 
direction  a  few  minutes  from  this  time." 

lie  then  went  to  the  old  folks  and  requested  them 
to  take  a  walk  with  him,  to  which  they  readily 
assented,  and  it  was  but  a  short  time  before  they  in- 
tercepted the  path  of  their  children.  As  they  met 
Gruber  introduced  them.  In  an  instant  their  feel- 
ings were  changed;  they  shook  hands,  doubly  era- 
braced  each  other,  and  wept.  The  scene  was  too 
much  for  the  sturdy  German's  nerves,  and  he  wept 
with  them.  In  describing  this  interview  afterward,  he 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


said :  "  Thus  the  snare  of  the  devil  was  broken  ;  they 
talked  and  wept  together,  after  a  silence  and  hardness 
of  months,  like  new  friends  on  their  way  to  heaven. 
They  lived  ever  after  in  love,  and  died  in  the  peace 
and  hope  of  the  Gospel." 

The  former  presiding  elder,  "Ward,  had  formed  a 
strong  attachment  for  a  local  preacher,  who  was 
pious  and  talented,  but  considerably  eccentric  in  his 
manners.  Ward  frequently  took  him  to  camp-meet- 
ings, as  he  was  very  active  and  zealous,  and  withal 
successful  in  getting  sinners  converted.  On  Sunday 
morning,  which  is  considered  the  great  occasion  at 
camp-meeting,  and  at  which  time  the  most  talented 
and  popular  ministers  hold  forth,  to  the  astonishment 
of  everybody  this  local  preacher  was  requested  by 
the  elder  to  preach.  With  all  his  peculiarity  of  man- 
ner the  local  preacher  was  not  destitute  of  modesty, 
nor  unable  to  appreciate  the  fitness  of  things.  He 
knew  that  a  large  number  had  come  on  the  ground 
that  morning  with  the  expectation  of  hearing  a  great 
sermon  from  some  one  of  the  popular  preachers  in  the 
regular  work,  and  he  suggested  his  inability  to  meet 
the  expectations  of  the  people.  His  objections  to 
preaching  on  the  occasion  were,  however,  overruled 
by  the  elder,  who  told  him  that  he  would  follow  him 


48 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


with  a  sermon.  A  hymn  was  sung,  a  prayer  offered, 
and  the  text  announced ;  but  instead  of  entering  upon 
its  discussion  he  exhorted  the  congregation  to  be 
patient,  as  he  did  not  intend  to  preach,  but  was 
only  going  before  to  prepare  the  way,  like  John  the 
Baptist.  "There  is  one  to  speak  after  me,"  said  he, 
"  who  is  mightier  than  I,  the  latchet  of  whose  shoes 
I  am  not  worthy  to  unloose."  This  was  more  than 
the  elder  had  bargained  for,  and  placed  liim  in  rather 
a  tight  place,  as  it  created  expectations  which  he  was 
by  no  means  adequate  to  meet,  ready  and  fluent  as 
he  was.  If  the  elder  thought  in  this  maneuver  to 
set  off  his  brilliant  talents  by  way  of  contrast  with 
the  odd  primitive  style  of  the  local  preacher,  he  was 
sadly  taken  in,  and  must  have  preached  under  a  press 
of  disadvantages  entirely  unexpected  and  altogether 
undesirable. 

The  shrewdness  and  wit  of  this  local  preacher 
scarcely  ever  failed  him.  He  was  prepared  for  every 
emergency.  A  revival  had  commenced  near  a  town 
in  which  there  was  a  college.  The  circuit  preachers 
met  with  much  opposition  from  the  educated  clergy 
and  the  learned  professors  of  this  backwoods  temple 
of  science.  The  local  preacher  sent  an  appointment 
to  this  place,  and  thought  he  would  try  his  hand  in 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


49 


stopping  the  mouths  of  pei-secutors.  "  Haviug  been 
a  '  master  mason,'  and  a  stone  mason,  and  having 
built  the  college,  and  being  acquainted  with  the 
people  and  their  religion,  he  concluded  that  it  would 
be  no  very  difficult  matter  to  silence  the  opposition." 
At  the  time  appointed  he  had  a  large  audience. 
His  text  was  Eevelation  iv,  8-11 :  "  And  the  four 
beasts  had  each  of  them  six  wings  about  him ;  and 
they  were  full  of  eyes  within :  and  they  rest  not  day 
and  night,  saying,  Holy,  holy,  holy,  Lord  God  Al- 
mighty, which  was,  and  is,  and  is  to  come.  And 
when  those  beasts  give  glory,  and  honor,  and  thanks 
to  him  that  sat  on  the  throne,  who  liveth  forever  and 
ever,  the  four  and. twenty  elders  fall  down  before  him 
that  sat  on  the  throne,  and  worship  him  that  liveth 
forever  and  ever,  and  cast  their  crowns  before  the 
throne,  saying,  Thou  art  worthy,  O  Lord,  to  receive 
glory,  and  honor,  and  power :  for  thou  hast  created 
all  things,  and  for  thy  pleasure  they  are  and  were 
created."  This  was  a  huge  text,  and  only  such  as  a 
"master  builder"  would  think  of  undertaking  to  dis- 
cuss. "With  these  he  associated  another  passage  from 
Revelation,  as  follows:  "And  I  saw  the  dead,  small 
and  great,  stand  before  God ;  and  the  books  were 
opened :  and  another  book  was  opened,  which  is  the 

Jatob  GrnlM''.  4 


50 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEK. 


book  of  life;  and  the  dead  were  judged  out  of  those 
tilings  which  were  written  in  the  books,  according  to 
their  works.  And  the  sea  gave  up  the  dead  which 
were  in  it;  and  death  and  hell  delivered  up  the  dead 
which  were  in  them :  and  they  were  judged  every 
man  according  to  their  works.  And  death  and  hell 
were  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire.  This  is  the  second 
death.  And  whosoever  was  not  found  written  in  the 
book  of  life  was  cast  into  the  lake  of  fire." 

His  preaching  being  more  of  the  hortatory  than 
expository  style,  he  plunged  at  once  into  the  spirit  of 
his  subject,  dwelt  upon  the  awful  nature  of  holiness 
in  God,  and  the  necessity  of  holiness  in  man.  He 
described  the  wicked  in  pointed  terms,  and  was  par- 
ticularly severe  upon  persecutors,  whom  he  repre- 
.sented  as  having  reached  the  climax  of  wickedness, 
and  doomed  them  all  to  the  lake  of  fire.  He  assured 
them  in  his  application  that  many  of  their  names  were 
not  written  in  the  book  of  life,  and  strongly  intimated 
that  they  might  be  found  in  the  tavern-keeper's  book, 
which  was  not  the  book  of  life,  but  of  death,  contain- 
ing bills  for  whisky  and  "stirrup  drams." 

At  a  certain  camp-meeting,  where,  notwithstand- 
ing all  the  powerful  exhortations  of  the  preachers, 
but  few  persons  were  found  to  come  into  the  altar 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


51 


and  seek  religion,  and  where  there  was  a  general 
apathy  among  professors  of  religion,  he  resorted  to  the 
following  expedient.  Taking  his  stand  in  the  altar 
at  the  base  of  the  pulpit,  he  said,  in  pathetic  tones, 
"  Come  on,  brethren,  I  want  to  get  a  little  more  con- 
verted myself."  Then  falling  at  the  mourners'  bench 
he  commenced  praying  with  all  his  might.  The  efi'ect 
was  electrical.  The  people  crowded  in  from  all  quar- 
ter, saints  and  sinners.  Many  professors  soon  became 
much  excited,  and  loud  shouts  were  heard  on  all  sides. 
Approaching  one  who  he  thought  became  happy  a 
little  too  soon,  he  said,  "  Don't  shout  yet,  brother,  you 
are  not  ready.  Go  on,  but  hold  back."  Many  were 
converted  on  this  occasion. 

In  one  of  his  sermons  he  described  Solomon's  temple, 
and  spiritualized  it  so  as  to  apply  it  to  the  Christian. 
Church.  He  spoke  of  the  number  and  variety  of  the 
stones,  and  the  manner  in  which  they  were  pre- 
pared for  the  building.  He  remarked  that  they  were 
hewed,  squared,  marked,  and  numbered,  so  that 
when  elevated  to  their  places  they  fitted  with  great 
exactness.  Speaking  of  the  stones  dug  out  of  nature's 
quarry  for  the  spiritual  temple,  he  said :  "  Some  were 
very  rough  and  hard.  He  noticed  one  in  particular 
which  he  himself  tried  to  prepare  for  the  spiritual 


52 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


temple.  It  was  so  extremely  hard  that  all  his  skill 
and  force  could  not  break  it  into  proper  shape.  Be- 
coming impatient  he  gave  it  a  tremendous  blow  with 
the  hammer  of  the  law,  and  it  flew  in  pieces,  when 
out  jumped  a  negro  and  a  whisky  bottle." 

At  a  love-feast  held  during  a  quarterly  meeting, 
a  brother  rose  to  speak.  As  soon  as  he  commenced 
he  was  attacked  with  a  hacking  cough,  and  could 
only  utter  a  word  at  a-  time.  He  was  an  extensive 
slaveholder,  and  rumor  with  her  busy  tongue  had 
Avhispered  that  he  was  entirely  too  mercenary  as  a 
master  in  relation  to  his  slaves.  The  local  preacher, 
seeing  the  diflBculty  of  getting  up  the  words,  exclaimed 
in  the  midst  of  one  of  his  coughing  paroxysms,  "That's 
right,  brother ;  cough  up  the  niggers  and  then  you'll 
have  an  open  time." 

We  will  relate  one  more  incident  connected  with 
this  local  preacher.  On  his  way  to  a  certain  appoint- 
ment a  Methodist  brother,  who  had  heard  that  he 
frequently  alluded  to  the  domestic  traffic  in  slaves, 
which  was  prohibited  by  the  Discipline  of  the  Church, 
remarked  to  him  that  he  need  not  preach  on  the  sub- 
ject, as  there  was  no  buying  or  selling  of  slaves  among 
the  membership.  But  he  had  others  to  preach  to 
besides  Methodists,  and  he  was  apprised  of  the  fact 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


53 


that  there  was  present  in  the  congregation  a  member 
of  another  Church,  who  had  been  recently  engaged 
in  the  traffic,  and  hence  he  conceived  it  his  duty,  as 
did  all  Methodist  preachers  in  that  day  in  slave  terri- 
tory, to  show  the  people  their  transgressions,  the  re- 
ligious portion  of  them  particularly;  and  in  his  sermon 
he  referred  to  the  subject,  quoting  the  golden  rule, 
•which  required  all  to  love  their  neighbors  as  they 
love  themselves.  After  this  reference  to  an  equality 
of  feeling  and  action  he  remarked :  "  I  suppose  I 
need  not  say  anything  to  you  on  this  subject.  You 
are  all  very  good  here,  though  it  might  possibly  hap- 
pen among  you  that  a  man  might  sell  his  brother, 
and  on  his  way  home  stop  at  a  meeting,  kneel  down 
and  take  the  sacrament,  and,  with  the  price  of  the 
slave  in  his  pocket,  rise  up,  and  wiping  his  mouth, 
thank  the  Lord  for  all  his  tender  mercies."  Though 
the  preachers  of  that  day  did  not  interfere  with  the 
simple  relation  of  master  and  slave,  yet  they  earnestly 
and  faithfully  enforced  the  apostle's  doctrine  in  regard 
to  that  relation,  and  held  the  master  amenable  for 
any  abuse  of  the  same. 

Gruber  thus  describes  a  rich  member  of  the 
Church  in  the  bounds  of  his  district :  "  He  resided 
on  the  South  Branch  and  was  a  very  singular  mau. 


54 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTJBER. 


He  did  not  like  to  be  imposed  upon.  He  frequently 
had  visitors,  travelers  who  called  themselves  Meth- 
odists and  wanted  to  stay  all  night.  If  they  had  a 
fine  dandy  appearance  he  would  let  them  wait  on 
themselves  though  he  had  plenty  of  servants.  His 
plan  was  to  show  such  the  granary  where  they  could 
get  feed  for  their  horses.  When  they  were  in  the 
granary,  however,  he  would  shut  the  door  and  request 
them  to  kneel  down  that  he  might  hear  them  pray. 
Such  a  test  he  was  sure  would  develop  their  true 
character,  and  it  rarely  failed.  When  one  of  this 
class  refused  to  pray  he  was  sure  that  he  was  either 
a  hypocrite  or  an  impostor." 

The  closing  scene  of  this  man's  life  is  thus 
described :  "  When  I  went  to  see  him  lie  was  calm 
as  a  summer's  evening;  his  prospects  were  bright,  his 
peace  great,  and  his  hope,  full  of  immortality.  I 
was  the  last  person  who  prayed  with  him,  and  re- 
ceived his  dying  words.  He  remarked:  'Some  of 
my  neighbors  set  me  down  for  a  liypocrite  or  an 
enthusiast  in  life,  but  I.  hope  they  will  believe  me 
sincere  in  dying  as  I  shall  die.  Like  Samson,  I 
hope  I  may  conquer  more  of  the  enemies  of  religion 
in  my  death  than  in  all  my  life.'  I  remained  with 
him  till  he  breathed  his  last,  and  saw  him  calmly 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


55 


and  peacefully  fall  asleep  in  Jesns,  not  to  wake  until 
the  morning  of  the  resurrection.  I  tried  to  preach  his 
funeral  sermon  to  a  very  large  and  serious  congrega- 
tion, from  the  text,  'Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in 
the  Lord :  Yea,  saitli  the  Spirit,  for  they  rest  from 
their  labors  and  their  works  do  follow  them.'  Let 
my  last  end  be  like  his." 

Of  another  rich  man  in  the  same  neighborhood  he 
makes  the  following  remarks :  "  He  had  a  large 
family,  owned  a  number  of  slaves,  and  was  a  good 
master.  His  slaves  were  better  off  than  some  per- 
sons who  were  their  own  masters.  He  had  a  large 
house,  and  over  its  numerous  dooi's  were  inscribed  in 
large  letters  the  most  wholesome  lessons.  Over  one 
door  was  written,  '  God  is  liereH  "  He  thus  describes 
the  daily  worship  in  this  house :  "  About  day -break 
a  trumpet  was  blown  as  a  signal  to  rise.  Half  an 
hour  after  this  the  trumpet  again  sounded  calling  to 
prayers,  when  all  the  members  of  the  household,  in- 
cluding the  family  and  all  the  servants,  were  required 
to  attend.  If  there  was  a  preacher  there  he  was  in- 
formed of  the  order,  and  if  he  did  not  rise  in  time 
family  worship  was  held  without  him,  as  the  master 
was  determined  not  to  break  the  order  of  family 
worship  to  accommodate  a   lazy   preacher  who 


56 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


preached  self-denial  and  then  lay  in  bed  until  break- 
fast time.  Breakfast  was  taken  about  sunrise,  and 
then  all  went  to  their  work.  He  was  a  tall  straight 
man,  and  held  a  public  office,  but  he  was  teachable 
as  a  child." 

A  certain  minister  at  one  of  the  appointments 
on  the  district,  being  anxious  to  obtain  the  support 
and  influence  of  a  rich  man  who  was  not  a  member 
of  his  Church,  resorted  to  the  following  expedient, 
which  we  will  give  in  Gruber's  own  words:  "The 
preacher  left  a  subscription  paper,  requesting  this 
man  to  use  his  infl.nence  to  get  persons  to  subscribe 
for  his  support.  After  some  time  he  called  again 
and  told  the  man  he  had  a  request  to  make  of  him, 
which  was  that  he  would  consent  to  be  an  elder  in 
his  Church.  The  man  replied  that  he  would  not  do 
that.  The  minister  asked, 'Why  not?'  'Because,' said 
he,  '  I  do  not  belong  to  your  Church ;  my  wife  and 
family  belong  to  the  Methodists,  and  I  go  to  their 
meetings  myself.'  The  minister  urged:  'You  might 
be  useful  in  my  congregation.'  'But,'  replied  he,  'I 
don't  believe  your  doctrine.'  '  Never  mind,  it  makes 
no  difference  whatever;  you  can  be  an  elder,  and  you 
must  offer  a  stronger  reason  than  that  for  refusing  me 
this  request.'    '"Well,  then,'  said  ho,  'I  have  another 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


57 


reason;  some  of  your  eldei-s  get  drunk.'  'I  cannot 
help  that,'  said  the  minister,  'as  that  is  a  matter  wliich 
belongs  to  them,  and  not  to  the  Church.'  'Very  well,' 
said  the  rich  influential  man,  I  can  help  being  an 
elder  with  them  in  your  Church.'  Thus  ended  the 
conversation.  The  minister  missed  his  mark  and 
was  disappointed,  and  the  man  missed  the  honor  of 
being  an  elder." 


58 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


CHAPTEE  m. 

Camp-meetings  on  the  Greenbrier  District — Commendable  Emulation 
among  the  Preachers  —  A  jolly  Wedding  —  A  Slaveholduig  Preacher  — 
Monongahela  District — Statistics  of  Camp-meetings — Bold  Sinners — 

,  A  young  Man  with  a  Pistol  —  Conversion  of  a  Major  —  Camj)-meeting8 
among  the  Presbyterians  —  An  Infidel  Club  —  Assault  and  Battery  — 
A  "strait  and  stiff"  Professor  of  Religion  — A  Shout  in  the  Wrong 
Place — A  happy  Man  —  A  Termigant  —  Quarterly  Meetings  —  A  Man 
in  Distress  —  A  zealous  Exhorter  — Interesting  Historical  Item  —  Last 
Interview  with  Bishop  Asbury  —  High  Heads  —  Fashionable  Dress  — 
Letter  to  a  General  Conference  Delegate  —  Opposition  to  Dogs  —  A 
Dandy  Preacher — Restoring  Order  at  a  Camp-meeting  —  Singular  Re- 
proof— Blowing  out  the  Fire  —  i'ine  Style  in  Preaching — Preaching 
before  the  Professors  and  Students  of  Dickinson  College — Opposition 
to  Tobacco  —  Preachers  reproved  for  Smoking. 

During  the  time  he  was  presiding  elder  on  the 
Greenbrier  district,  which  included  a  period  of  three 
years,  from  1807  to  1810,  lie  held  a  large  number  of 
camp-meetings.  The  Rockingham  camp-meeting, 
held  in  1807,  was  largely  attended;  the  ground  was 
covered  with  tents  and  wagons.  The  following 
preachers  were  present,  and  preached  on  the  occa- 
sion :  Rev.  Messrs.  Miller,  Holmes,  Douglass,  Carson, 
Ivennerly,  Chastain,  and  Fidler.  Tliis  meeting  was 
attended  with  great  results.    So  intense  was  the  ex- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


59 


citement  that  two  whole  nights  were  spent  in  singing 
and  prayer.  Camp-meetings  were  also  held  at  Bo- 
tetourt, Monroe,  Greenbrier,  Blacksburgh,  Alle- 
gheny, and  other  places.  Asbury,  M'Kendree,  Par- 
ker, Boehm,  Shadford,  Fleming,  Henkle,  Lee,  Jen- 
nings, Frye,  Monroe,  Light,  Monett,  and  numerous 
other  preachers  of  that  day  were  present  at  these 
meetings,  and  they  afforded  an  admirable  occasion 
for  an  interchange  of  views  and  feelings  among  the 
itinerants,  who  were  many  of  them  widely  separated 
in  their  fields  of  labor.  The  zeal  and  devotion  which 
characterized  them  gave  them  a  power  and  influ- 
ence in  the  community  which  made  them  successful 
wherever  they  labored.  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  was  then  a  unit,  and  no  questions  of  govern- 
mental or  prudential  policy  divided  the  ministry  or 
laity.  Having  but  one  work,  the  preachers  labored 
assiduously  for  its  accomplishment;  and  the  only 
strife  among  them  was  as  to  who  should  do  the  most 
work,  encounter  the  most  hardships,  and  make  the 
most  sacrifices  for  the  cause  of  Christ ;  an  emulation 
the  most  desirable,  and  worthy  of  imitation  by  all 
tlie  preachers  of  the  present  day. 

Gruber  thus  describes  a  wedding:  " Between  Harris- 
onburgh  and  Staunton,  at  a  wedding,  a  large  gathering 


60 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


of  respectable  people,  there  were  some  who  watched 
professors  of  religion  more  than  themselves.  They  had 
refreshments,  good  things,  brandy,  wine,  and  cordials 
in  abundance.  Before  the  ceremony  was  performed 
the  company  was  called  around  the  table  to  drink  of 
the  good  things.  The  minister  said  grace  over  the 
good  creatures,  after  which  the  company  partook  freely. 
After  dinner  some  became  very  zealous  in  disputing 
on  religious  points ;  some  quarreled,  and  two  were 
near  fighting ;  they  got  to  the  door,  and  one  threw  the 
other  down  some  half  dozen  steps,  and  hurt  him  much. 
A  skeptic  ran  in,  called  out  the  preacher,  and  told 
him  he  never  saw  a  prayer  answered  quicker  than 
his  over  that  good  drink,  for  there  were  two  men  who 
had  got  so  religious  and  so  strong  that  they  were  for 
a  fight  about  it.  The  minister  confessed  his  fault,  and 
said  he  would  not  ask  a  blessing  over  such  drink  again. 
But  it  was  said  he  had  anotlier  fault.  He  was  a  hard 
slavemaster.  He  would  tie  up  and  whip  his  slaves 
on  Sunday  morning ;  leave  them  tied  up  in  the  cellar 
till  he  had  gone  and  preached  and  come  back.  But 
his  end  was  dreadful.  He  ordered  a  slave  to  bring 
out  a  young  horse  to  ride  to  his  meeting  to  preach. 
The  slave  said :  '  O  massa,  that  horee  too  wild ;  he 
throw  you!'    He  said:  'Go,  do  what  I  tell  you.' 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


61 


The  horse  was  got  out,  the  minister  started,  but  did 
not  come  back.  The  horse  ran  off  and  killed  him. 
In  speaking  of  the  accident  in  a  company,  one  man 
said :  '  They  could  not  have  expected  a  better  or 
different  end  for  him.  It  seemed  as  though  the  devil 
had  got  a  bill  of  sale  on  the  old  fellow,  and  he  had 
got  him  at  last."  This  is  what  some  persons  think 
of  slaveholding  and  slave-whipping  preachers." 

At  the  Conference  of  1810,  which  was  held  at  Bal- 
timore, he  was  appointed  presiding  elder  of  the 
Monongahela  district,  which  embraced  all  the  coun- 
try between  the  Laurel  Ridge  and  Lake  Erie,  includ- 
ing Clarksburgh  in  Yirginia,  and  Armstrong  county 
in  Pennsylvania.  This  large  field  now  embraces  as 
many  conferences  within  its  boijnds  as  there  were 
then  circuits.  "With  but  one  exception,  each  of  the 
appointments  were  supplied  with  a  single  preacher. 
These  preachers  had  from  thirty  to  forty  appoint- 
ments to  visit  every  four  weeks.  "Hard  work," 
said  the  presiding  elder  to  his  preachers,  "but 
good  and  certain  pay;  bread  and  meat  given, 
and  water,  living  water  sure,  including  grace  and 
glory,  everything  that  is  good  here,  and  a  crown 
hereafter."  These  preachers  he  met  every  three 
months  at  the  quarterly  meetings,  where  they  labored 


62 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


together,  and  at  every  meeting  there  were  conver- 
sions. Toward  the  latter  part  of  summer,  after  the 
farmers  had  got  through  with  the  work  of  the  season, 
the  camp-meetings  were  held,  and  they  were  gen- 
erally appointed  at  the  time  and  place  of  the  last 
quarterly  meeting  for  the  year.  The  presiding  elder, 
in  accordance  with  the  request  of  Bishop  Asbury, 
kept  an  account  of  these  meetings,  embracing  the 
number  of  tents  and  people  on  the  ground,  the  num- 
ber of  sermons  preached,  with  the  names  of  the 
preachers  and  texts  from  which  they  preached,  the 
number  of  persons  converted,  and  the  number  of 
accessions  to  the  Church. 

Gruber  gives  several  incidents  that  occurred  at 
these  meetings.  "  In  one  camp,"  he  says,  "  some 
bold  sinners  came  to  fight  for  their  master,  the  devil; 
but  our  Captain,  Immanuel,  made  prisoners  of  them, 
and  then  made  them  '  free  indeed.'  One  fine,  strong, 
good-looking  young  man  among  the  mourners  was 
in  great  distress,  and  found  no  relief  until  he  drew 
a  large  pistol  out  of  his  pocket,  with  which  he  in- 
tended to  defend  himself  if  any  one  should  oflfer  to 
speak  to  him  on  the  subject  of  religion.  "When  he 
laid  it  on  the  bench  beside  him  the  Lord  blessed 
him  and  gave  him  a  great  victory  over  all  his  foes. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


63 


Having  grounded  the  weapon  of  rebellion,  he  was 
prepared  to  enlist  under  the  banner  of  the  Prince  of 
peace." 

"  In  another  camp,  after  midnight,  among  many 
mourners,  wap  a  large  man  bearing  the  title  of  major, 
who  was  in  great  distress,  praying  and  crying  for 
mercy.    Some  who  had  said  none  but  shallow  men, 
ignorant  women,  and  silly  children  would  make  such 
a  noise  in  a  public  congregation,  looked  on  with  as- 
tonishment.   '  See  there,'  said  they ;  '  there  is  the 
major!   Look  !  hear!  only  hear  him  !'  Presently  the 
Lord  blessed  him,  and  he  arose,  and  large  and  heavy 
as  he  was,  he  leaped  as  high  as  the  benches,  shouting 
at  the  top  of  his  voice,  'Glory  to  God,  there  is 
mercy  for  all !    I  was  taught  that  it  was  only  for  a 
few ;  now  I  know  Christ  died  for  me  and  for  all !' 
In  the  height  of  his  rapture  he  noticed  one  of  his 
brother  officers  and  called  him,  saying,  '  Captain, 
come  here,  there  is  a  reality  in  religion.    Yes,  there 
is  mercy  for  all !'  While  conversing  with  the  cap- 
tain, his  wife,  who  was  among  the  mourners  in  an- 
other part  of  the  congregation,  and  had  been  con- 
verted, came  up  shouting.    Tliey  embraced  each 
other,  and  the  scene  was  so  deeply  affecting  that  eyes 
unused  to  weep  poured  forth  a  plenteous  tribute." 


64 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


The  fountains  of  human  sympathy  were  broken  up, 
and  what  no  appeals  of  truth  or  power  of  persuasion 
could  accomplish  was  effected  by  this  exhibition  of 
converting  power.  The  conversion  of  a  soul  is  an 
omnipotent  moral  power  pervading  an  entire  congre- 
gation ;  it  touches  the  hearts  of  angels  and  excites 
joy  in  heaven. 

Many  similar  scenes  occurred  at  these  meetings. 
They  frequently  held  them  all  night,  and  continued 
day  and  night  in  succession  for  weeks.  At  one  of 
them,  held  between  Washington  and  Steubenville, 
Gruber  said  tliere  was  very  little  intermission  day  or 
night.  "  The  work  went  on,  preaching,  exhortation, 
weeping  and  rejoicing,  singing  and  praying,  crying 
and  shouting.  I  saw  the  day  break  three  mornings 
at  that  meeting,  and  we  fulfilled  what  we  had  sung : 

'  With  thee  all  night  I  mean  to  stay, 
And  wrestle  till  the  break  of  day.'  " 

The  camp-meetings  among  the  Presbyterians  were 
attended  with  like  results.  The  members  came 
in  wagons  from  a  great  distance,  and  as  some  of  the 
preachers  and  elders  did  not  approve  of  a  noise,  they 
found  it  very  difiicult  to  manage  the  meetings  so  as 
to  bring  everything  under  the  proper  regimen  of 
order.    To  obviate  this  difficulty,  when  a  person 


UFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


65 


became  convicted  and  began  to  pray  for  mercy, 
they  would  carry  him  off  some  distance  to  a 
house  and  pray  and  sing  with  him.  Some  thought 
even  this  was  unnecessary,  and  would  suggest  that 
they  be  let  alone,  for  if  the  Lord  had  begun  a  good 
work  in  them  he  would  carry  it  on,  and  it  was  not 
proper  to  interfere  with  his  work.  This  would  be 
seasonable  advice  if  praying  and  singing  are  to  be 
regarded  in  the  light  of  an  interference,  and  not  as  a 
means  of  grace  ordained  of  God  for  the  salvation  of 
the  soul,  and  co-operative  with  the  Spirit  in  the  work 
of  conversion. 

"Within  the  bounds  of  the  district  was  an  in- 
fidel club.  The  oraele  of  this  club  was  a  little 
Frenchman.  They  usually  held  their  meetings  at 
taverns,  and  the  Frenchman  generally  held  forth  on 
such  occasions.  A  little  doctor  was  also  associated 
with  him,  and  with  the  united  stock  of  knowledge 
they  managed  to  keep  the  club  enlightened  on  all 
matters  of  religion.  Not  content  with  exercising  the 
liberty  they  enjoyed,  to  entertain  and  promulgate 
their  infidel  sentiments,  they  would  frequently  attend 

annoy  the  people  by  engag- 
ing in  controversy  with  any  they  could  find  willing 
to  enter  into  a  discussion.    On  a  certain  occasion 

Jaoob  Grubei.  q 


66 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


they  attended  camj)-meeting,  and  made  themselves 
particularly  conspicuous  by  walking  about  and  criti- 
cising everything  they  saw  and  heard.  To  show  his 
contempt  for  the  Methodists,  the  doctor,  with  a  cigar 
in  his  mouth,  crowded  up  close  to  the  altar,  near  the 
pulpit,  in  time  of  worship,  and  puffed  away  much  to 
the  annoyance  of  all.  Gruber  requested  him 
to  go  to  some  other  place  more  appropriate  for 
smoking.  At  this  the  gentleman  of  the  pill-bag 
became  quite  indignant,  and  said  he  would  do  no 
such  thing.  At  this  Gruber  approached  him  and 
raised  his  hand  to  take  away  "  the  smoking  fire- 
brand," as  he  called  it,  "  so  near  his  nose."  This 
roused  the  ire  of  the  little  doctor  to  a  boiling  point, 
and  he  went  to  a  country  squire  near  at  hand  and 
sued  him  for  an  assault  and  battery.  At  the  close 
of  the  meeting  Gruber  followed  the  constable  and  a 
large  crowd  to  the  seat  of  justice  in  the  log-cabin. 
"When  he  appeared  before  the  justice  the  dignitary 
of  the  law  advised  the  accused  to  make  an  apology 
to  the  doctor  for  his  attack,  as  in  that  case  the  mat- 
ter would  not  go  so  hard  with  him.  But  Gruber 
replied,  that  he  would  not  confess  his  sins  till  he  was 
convinced  of  them,  and  as  he  was  charged  with  a 
battery  he  w  nld  like  to  see  the  doctor's  wounds. 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER.  6Y 

bruises,  broken  boues,  and  batters,  causing  life  to  be 
despaired  of.  He  would  be  perfectly  willing  in  that 
case  to  employ  a  surgeon  to  in  end  up  his  little  body 
if  it  was  broken  anywhere.  This  was  too  much 
both  for  the  doctor  and  squire,  and  he  was  bound 
over  to  court. 

On  the  day  of  trial  Gruber  appeared  with  a  skill- 
ful lawyer,  and  after  the  evidence  and  pleadings,  the 
jury  were  not  long  in  bringing  in  a  verdict  of  not 
guilty.  One  of  them  remarked  that  the  charge 
was  brought  against  the  wrong  man,  as  the  doctor 
should  have  been  fined  for  disturbing  the  camp- 
meeting. 

Whenever  Gruber  had  opportunity  he  introduced 
the  subject  of  religion.  He  was  rough  in  his  man- 
ners, sometimes  exceedingly  so,  but  beneath  a  rough 
and  somewhat  forbidding  exterior  there  was  a  genial 
sympathetic  heart.  Riding  to  one  of  his  appoint- 
ments on  a  certain  occasion  he  fell  in  company  with 
a  gentleman  Avhom  he  described  as  "  strait  and  stiff 
looking."  Finding  that  he  was  a  professor  of  relig- 
ion, he  inquired  into  his  religious  state.  'Not  being 
able  to  satisfy  him  in  regard  to  his  personal  expe- 
rience, he  asked  him  "if  apple  trees  bore,  or  had 
fruit  in  the  winter." 


68 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


The  stranger  replied,  "No,  certainly  not;  they 
bear  no  kind  of  fruit  in  the  winter." 

"  Then,"  said  Gruber,  "  if  a  man's  faith  is  dead 
without  good  works,  what  kind  of  faith  has  he  while 
his  works  are  bad." 

"  No  man  can  live  without  sin,"  he  replied ;  "  as 
soon  as  a  man  is  made  holy  he  must  die ;  he  cannot 
stay  in  this  world  any  longer." 

"  But  how  can  he  serve  God  in  holiness,  and  have 
his  fruit  unto  holiness  and  still  live  in  sin  ?" 

The  stranger  made  no  reply,  and  they  parted, 
both  doubtless  satisfied  that  their  views  on  the  sub- 
ject of  religious  experienpe  were  correct. 

In  those  days  it  frequently  happened  that  the  min- 
istei"S  of  different  denominations  were  obliged  to 
preach  in  school-houses  and  court-houses,  from  the 
fact  that  there  were  no  churches.  A  Presbyterian 
minister  one  Sabbath  afternoon  preached,  by  way  of 
reading  a  sermon,  in  the  village  court-house.  The 
discourse  was  well  written,  and  evinced  considerable 
theological  ability;  but  it  was  read  in  such  a  monot- 
onous manner  that  it  lulled  many  to  sleep.  All  was 
perfectly  quiet,  and  nothing  disturbed  the  stillness  of 
the  hour.  No  sound  was  heard  but  the  voice  of  the 
preacher;  which  fell  in  soft  cadences  upon  the  ear 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


G9 


like  the  murmur  of  a  distant  waterfall.  Suddenly  a 
Methodist  woman  in  the  court-room  broke  out  into  a 
shout  of  "  Glory !  glory  !  praise  the  Lord  for  what 
he  has  done  for  my  soul !"  Tliose  who  had  fallen 
asleep  under  the  soothing  tones  of  the  minister  were 
awakened,  others  were  frightened,  and  the  preacher 
himself  was  entirely  overcome.  It  was  some  time 
before  he  could  rally  so  as  to  proceed  with  his  dis- 
course. When  the  meeting  was  over  the  woman 
was  asked  why  she  so  disturbed  the  meeting.  She 
replied :  "  I  was  converted  at  a  camp-meeting  at  East 
Liberty  last  year,  and  while  I  listened  to  the  dry 
sermon  I  thought  of  old  times.  It  was  just  the  kind 
I  used  to  hear  before  I  was  converted  ;  I  then  thought 
of  the  wonderful  change,  and  the  happy  meetings 
we  have  now,  and  forgetting  where  I  was  I  had  to 
shout." 

The  following  from  his  journal  in  relation  to 
a  happy  man  and  a  wicked  woman  possesses 
interest: 

"  In  Lancaster  county,  Pennsylvania,  a  man  lived 
by  himself  whose  name  began  with  M.  He  was  one 
of  the  happiest  men  I  saw  at  a  quarterly  meeting. 
Going  along  the  road  a  man  asked  me :  '  Do  you  see 
that  house  across  the  field  V    I  said  '  Yes.'    '  There,' 


70  LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEK. 

said  he,  'lives  M.,  that  you  saw  so  happy  at  the 
meeting ;  he  is  a  mechanic,  lives  alone,  and  has  family 
prayer  evening  and  morning.  When  some  asked 
why  he  did  so,  as  he  had  no  family,  he  said  he 
belonged  to  the  household  of  faith,  the  family  of 
God.  He  identified  himsfelf  with  all  the  praying 
families,  and  while  hundreds  and  thousands  were 
worshiping,  he  would  worship  too ;  their  prayers 
all  met  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and  great  blessings 
came  down  from  heaven  and  made  a  heavenly 
place.  He  would  not  be  deprived  of  the  privilege 
and  blessing  of  family  prayer.  He  was  often  heard 
by  the  neighbors  praying  and  praising  God,  and 
shouting, 'Glory  to  God !  glory  to  God!'  So  did 
Michael." 

"  I  will  relate  a  case  somewhat  different  from  this : 
A  man  with  a  family  had  a  wife  who  would  not 
let  him  have  family  prayer,  but  made  a  noise  and 
disturbance.  He  told  her  she  must  be  quiet,  and  not 
interrupt  him;  he  must  pray  with  his  family.  She 
got  worse  still.  He  told  her  if  she  did  not  keep 
quiet  in  time  of  pra3-er  he  would  have  to  correct  her. 
She  dared  liim  to  do  that,  telling  him  he  would  be 
put  out  of  society.  He  went  and  told  the  leader  to 
cross  his  name  off  the  class  paper,  for  ho  must  do 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETTBER. 


71 


what  a  member  should  not  do,  whip  his  wife.  The 
leader  took  the  hint,  and  crossed  out  the  name.  The 
man  went  home,  got  ready  a  rod,  told  his  wife  to 
keep  quiet,  etc. ;  but  she  rattled  the  chairs,  and  made 
more  noise  than  before.  His  prayer  (I  suppose) 
was  not  as  long  as  a  Pharisee's,  but  as  soon  as  he 
was  done  praying  he  gave  his  wife  a  complete  whip- 
ping. After  a  restless  night,  she  went  early  to  the 
leader  to  complain  about  the  bad  man  in  his  class, 
saying,  '  My  husband  whipped  me ;  is  that  the  kind 
of  men  you  have  in  your  class?'  He  said,  'Your 
husband  don't  belong  to  it ;  he  got  his  name  out 
some  time  ago.'  '  What,  is  he  out  ?  For  the  Lord's 
sake  take  him  in  again,  or  he  will  kill  me.'  That 
woman  got  converted  after  that,  and  her  husband 
became  a  useful  itinerant  preacher.  Here  was  per- 
severance in  family  prayer  and  success." 

The  quarterly  meetings  were  largely  attended  in 
those  days.  They  began  on  Saturday,  and  continued 
until  the  following  Monday  evening,  sometimes 
longer.  A  revival  was  confidently  looked  for  on 
such  occasions,  and  it  would  be  considered  a  very 
dry  and  profitless  time  if  some  were  not  converted. 
At  eleven  o'clock  on  Saturday  a  sermon  would  be 
preached  by  the  presiding  elder,  after  which  the 


72 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


quarterly  conference  was  held.  In  the  evening  the 
circuit  preacher  would  hold  forth,  and  at  the  conclu- 
sion of  his  discourse  an  exhortation  would  be  de- 
livered and  persons  invited  to  come  to  the  mourn- 
ers' bench.  On  Sabbath  morning  at  eight  o'clock  a 
love-feast  would  be  held,  at  which  the  members  of 
the  Church  would  relate  their  Christian  experience. 
In  times  of  revival  these  meetings  were  exceedingly 
interesting  and  profitable.  The  speaking  exercises 
would  be  kept  up  till  the  time  of  preaching,  when  the 
doors  would  be  opened  and  outsiders  admitted.  At 
this  appointment  the  house  generally  was  literally 
packed,  and  the  doors,  windows,  and  yard  filled  with 
people,  many  of  whom  had  come  a  great  distance  to 
hear  the  presiding  elder,  who  then  attracted  more  atten- 
tion than  one  of  our  bishops  would  at  the  present  day. 

At  one  of  these  meetings,  after  laboring  hard  in 
the  pulpit  and  the  prayer-meeting  until  Monday  night, 
the  preachers  and  the  members  were  disappointed 
and  dispirited  at  witnessing  no  revival.  Not  one  soul 
was  converted,  nor  did  a  single  sinner  give  any  signs 
of  penitence.  The  meeting  at  length  closed,  and  the 
congregation  separated  to  the  different  houses  in  the 
neighborhood.  There  were  many  at  this  meeting 
from  a  distance,  and  they  were  provided  for  by  the 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


73 


members  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  church  or 
the  school-house,  as  the  case  might  be.  It  frequently 
happened  that  the  number  of  strangers  was  so  great, 
that  the  men  were  obliged  to  sleep  in  rows  upon  the 
floor.  At  this  meeting  was  a  man  whose  wife 
and  relatives  were  members  of  the  Church.  They 
had  come  from  a  considerable  distance  to  attend 
it.  He  was  a  man  of  the  world,  and  many 
prayers  had  been  offered  in  his  behalf  that  he  might 
be  converted  at  this  meeting.  His  sleeping  place 
was  by  the  side  of  a  zealous  exhorter.  Some  time  in 
the  night  the  exhorter  heard  him  groan,  and  thinking 
him  under  conviction,  in  an  imploring  manner  asked 
him  what  was  the  matter.  "  0  my  dear  sir,"  said  he, 
"I  am  the  most  disappointed  and  unhappy  man  in 
the  world  !"  This  was  glad  news  to  the  exhorter,  and 
he  urged  him  not  to  be  discouraged,  but  to  persevere 
in  seeking,  and  he  had  no  doubt  but  that  God  would 
have  mercy  upon  him,  and  save  him  from  his  sins. 
"  But  I  am  sure  I  can't  succeed,"  said  the  groaning 
man,  "  for  I  have  tried  my  best ;  I  got  the  very  best 
bait  I  could  find,  but  I  can't  catch  a  single  rabbit. 
When  I  go  to  my  traps  in  the  morning  I  find  them 
all  sprung  and  the  bait  all  gone.  I  am  the  most 
unlucky  and  miserable  man  in  the  world." 


74 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


This  was  too  much  for  the  exhorter,  and  he  turned 
over,  groaning  out  a  prayer  that  the  Lord  would 
pity  the  poor  thoughtless  sinner. 

In  Gruber's  journal  we  find  many  interesting  items 
pertaining  to  Methodist  history.  The  following  reso- 
lutions, passed  at  the  General  Conference  of  1812, 
we  do  not  recollect  to  have  seen  in  print ;  as  they 
possess  historic  interest,  we  insert  them : 

"I.  Resolved,  That  each  presiding  elder,  with  the 
preachers  of  his  district,  collect  materials  for  the  his- 
tory of  Methodism.  They  were  to  have  in  view  the 
following  items  :  1.  A  short  sketch  of  the  geography 
of  the  district,  including  boundaries,  rivers,  mount- 
ains, soil,  climate,  customs  of  the  people,  etc.  2.  The 
particular  moral  condition  of  the  people'  at  the  intro- 
duction of  Methodism.  3.  By  whom  and  at  what  time 
the  first  settlements  were  formed.  4,  The  difficulties 
the  first  preachers  were  exposed  to  on  account  of  the 
Indians  in  frontier  settlements,  the  .  dangei^s  they 
encountered,  and  their  success  while  preaching  in 
forts  and  out-posts.  5.  When  and  by  whom  were 
the  first  circuits  formed^  also  the  first  classes,  and  the 
revivals  in  different  places  and  at  different  times. 
6.  The  means  by  which  Methodist  preachers  wero^ 
introduced  to  different  places.    7.  How  the  work 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


V5 


progressed  until  it  became  a  district ;  the  names  and 
numbers  of  circuits,  meeting-houses,  private  phaces  of 
preaching,  number  of  classes  and  members,  number 
of  traveling  preachers  and  local  preachers,  general 
number  attending  camp-meetings,  number  converted, 
biographical  sketches  of  those  who  had  lived  well 
and  died  happy  among  the  traveling  and  local 
preachers  and  private  members,  males  and  females. 

"  11.  Resolved,  That  the  presiding  elders  and  preach- 
ers shall  be  instructed  to  procure  certificates  relative 
to  facts  in  their  collection  of  materials,  which  cer- 
tificates shall  have  the  most  respectable  signatures 
that  can  be  obtained  and  submitted  as  hereafter 
directed  ;  the  days  of  continuance,  the  order  and 
origin  of  camp-meetings. 

"  III.  Resolved^  That  each  of  the  annual  conferences 
appoint  a  committee  of  review,  consisting  of  three 
members,  to  receive  materials  submitted  by  the  pre- 
siding elders  and  preachers,  and  report  to  the  re- 
spective conferences ;  and  if  approved  of  by  the 
conferences,  the  committee  shall  send  the  materials 
with  their  report  to  the  book  agent. 

"  IV.  Resolved,  That  the  New  York  Annual  Confer- 
ence be,  and  is  hereby  authorized  to  engage  with  a 
historian  to  digest  and  arrange  the  order  of  the  his- 


76 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


tory  of  the  Methodist  Church  in  America,  and  to  give 
the  materials  collected  as  above,  with  any  others  that 
may  be  collected  from  journals,  letters,  manuscripts, 
or  from  any  other  source,  historical  form  and  style. 

"  Y.  Resolved^  That  our  editor,  book  agent,  and  book 
committee  be  appointed  a  committee  to  read  and 
approve  the  history  before  it  is  published." 

While  Gruber  was  taking  his  last  round  on  the  • 
district  he  met  Bishop  Asbnry  on  the  Alleghany 
Mountains.  The  bishop  was  on  a  visit  to  the  West- 
ern Conferences,  which  proved  to  be  his  last.  He 
was  much  attached  to  Gruber,  and  in  one  of  his  let- 
ters to  him  said  he  prayed  for  him  twice  every  day. 
When  they  met,  Gruber  hitched  his  horse  by  the 
roadside  and  took  a  seat  beside  the  bishop  in  his 
carriage,  and  had  a  most  pleasant  interview.  The 
toil-worn  veteran,  feeling  that  his  work  was  nearly 
done,  exhorted  the  strong  and  stalwart  itinerant 
to  increased  exertion  and  fidelity  in  the  cause  of 
Christ.  Among  other  things  he  said :  "  O  if  I  was 
young  I  would  cry  aloud,  I  would  lift  up  my  voice 
like  a  trumpet !  O  what  pride,  conformity  to  the 
world  in  following  its  fashions  !  Many  of  our  people 
are  going  to  ruin  !  Warn  them,  warn  them  from  me, 
while  you  have  strength  and  time,  and  be  faithful  to 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUl^R.  7Y 

your  duty."  It  was  an  affecting  interview,  and  at  its 
conclusion  the  itinerant  mounted  his  horse,  and  they 
parted  for  the  last  time.  The  whole  life  of  Gruber 
showed  how  faithfully  he  carried  out  the  bishop's 
injunctions  in  regard  to  the  fashions  of  the  world. 
Indeed,  all  the  preachers  of  that  day  were  remarka- 
bly plain  in  their  dress  and  manners.  The  preachers 
in  their  conferences  solemnly  voted  against  double- 
breasted  coats  and  vests,  and  faithfully  carried  out 
the  rule  of  the  Church  to  give  no  tickets  of  admis- 
sion to  love-feasts  to  any  members  of  the  Church 
who  wore  "  high  heads,  enormous  bonnets,  ruffles, 
and  rings."  The  rule  was  explained  by  some  of  the 
preachers  in  the  olden  time  thus :  "  High  heads 
mean  three  story  hats,  one  story  for  the  head, 
another  for  the  pocket  handkerchief,  and  the  third 
for  a  few  dozen  cigars."  Enormous  bonnets  were 
something  of  the  style  worn  by  the  wife  of  an 
eccentric  English  clergyman,  who,  it  is  said,  as  his 
wife  was  coming  into  church,  cried  out  at  the  top  of 

his  voice :  "  Make  way  for  Mrs.  ,  as  she  is  coming 

with  a  chest  of  drawers  on  her  head."  Gruber  was 
accustomed  to  say,  when  speaking  on  this  subject : 
"  High  heads  have  passed  away  and  flat  heads  are  in 
their  place.    Enormous  bonnets  have  had  their  day, 


78  LIF]*  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 

and  now  little  things,  not  large  enough  to  shade  the 
nose,  are  all  the  rage.  Ruffles  and  rings,  artificials 
and  bows  are  round,  wrong,  and  needless." 

While  preaching  in  a  certain  place  on  one  occa- 
sion an  unusually  tall  lady  entered.  On  seeing  her 
he  stopped  preaching  and  said :  "  Make  room  for 
that  lady ;  one  might  have  thought  she  was  tall 
enough  to  be  seen  without  the  plumage  of  that  pird 
in  her  ponnet."  Some  days  afterward  the  lady  met 
Gruber  and  complained  that  he  had  treated  her 
rudely.  "  O  sister,"  he  replied,  "  was  that  you  ? 
Well,  I  did  not  not  know  it  was  you  ;  I  thought  you 
had  more  sense." 

He  was  particularly  severe  on  some  of  the  modern 
preachers  because  they  did  not  preach  against  the 
fashions  of  the  world.  Some  in  preaching,  he  said, 
"  draw  the  bow  and  take  aim  at  some  in  the  congre- 
gation, but  the  arrow  does  not  hit  the  mark ;  it  is 
stopped  in  the  trimming,  rigging,  muff,  drums, 
bustles,  and  other  fashionable  gear  of  their  wives  or 
daughters." 

About  that  time  a  certain  article  of  dress  known 
among  the  ladies  as  the  "petticoat  and  habit," 
came  into  general  use ;  and  as  fashion  will  sooner  or 
later  have  its  way,  it  obtained  among  the  young 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


79 


ladies  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Gruber  was  at- 
tending a  camp-meeting  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Franklin,  Pennsylvania.  At  this  meeting  there  were 
several  young  ladies  dressed  after  this  fashion. 
Their  appearance  so  thoroughly  displeased  him  that, 
true  to  his  instincts,  he  determined,  if  possible,  to 
administer  a  public  reproof.  During  a  prayer-meet- 
ing some  of  these  fashionables  were  grouped  together, 
singing  a  hymn  which  was  very  popular  in  those 
days.    This  hymn,  the  chorus  of  which  was, 

"  I  want  to  get  to  heaven,  , 
My  long  sought  rest," 

they  sung  with  great  animation,  and  their  animation 
increased  as  they  saw  the  presiding  elder  advance  and 
join  them.  It  was  discovered  after  a  while  that  he 
changed  the  last  line  of  the  chorus,  and  instead  of 
singing, 

"  I  want  to  get  to  heaven. 
My  long  sought  rest," 

he  sang, 

"  I  want  to  get  to  heaven 
With  my  long  short  dress." 

One  after  another,  as  they  detected  the  change  in 
the  chorus,  ceased  singing  until  all  had  stopped, 
and  Gruber  was  left  alone.    At  this  he  sung  more 


80 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


lustily  than  ever,  so  that  all  around  could  hear. 
The  "long  short  dresses"  soon  began  to  disappear, 
and  the  conscience  of  Gruber  was  not  again  dis- 
turbed on  that  score  during  the  remainder  of  the 
meeting. 

Gruber  thus  describes  an  interview  he  had  with  a 
fashionable  family : 

"  In  one  of  the  circuits  I  found  a  local  preacher 
who  had  been  an  itinerant,  but  got  married,  settled 
himself  quite  easy  and  independent,  got  rich,  and 
had  a  fine  family;  but  none  of  his  children  had 
religion.  On  a  Sunday  afternoon,  while  sitting  with 
him  and  his  wife,  a  very  fine  young  man  and  a  fine 
young  lady  came  in.  The  preacher  introduced  them 
to  me  as  his  children.  After  a  friendly  convereation, 
I  took  upon  myself  to  be  master  of  ceremonies,  and 
introduced  the  father  to  the  son  after  this  manner : 
'This  is  your  father ;  he  is  a  plain  Methodist 
preacher ;  he  is  trying  to  persuade  all  to  come  to 
Christ  for  salvation  :  the  young  to  seek  first  the  king- 
dom of  heaven,  and  children  to  honor  and  obey  their 
parents.  What  will  his  congregation  think  when 
they  look  at  you,  his  son,  his  oldest  son  ?  The  Lord 
pity  you  !'  Then  I  spoke  to  the  father:  'This  is  your 
son ;  this  fine,  gay,  fashionable  young  man,  with  his 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


81 


ruffles  and  nonsense  about  him,  is  the  son  of  a  plain 
Methodist  preacher.  What  will  your  congregation 
think  of  you  when  they  hear  you  preach  and  see 
your  son  as  he  is?  Will  they  not  think  of  Eli 
the  priest  V  This  was  amusing  to  the  fine  young 
lady.  I  then  turned  to  her  and  said :  '  This  is  your 
mother ;  this  plain,  old-fashioned  woman  is  your 
mother.  She  prays  for  you,  is  trying  to  get  to 
heaven,  and  will  probably  leave  you  behind,  in  a 
world  of  pride,  and  vanity,  and  folly.  Look  at  her. 
Who  that  looks  at  you  would  guess  that  you  were 
related  to  her?'  I  then  spoke  to  the  mother  :  'This 
is  your  daughter,  this  fine-looking  young  lady,  with 
her  ruffles,  rings,  curls,  locket,  and  silly,  needless 
ornaments  about  her.  Look  at  her.  What  will  the 
people  think  of  you  and  her?  you  a  professor  of 
religion  and  a  preacher's  wife.  Some  will  think  that, 
though  you  are  plain  yourself,  you  love  to  see  your 
child  gay  and  fashionable  ;  but  they  will  wonder 
who  buys  those  costly  toys  and  trinkets,  father  or 
mother.  Others  will  think  that  your  daughter  is 
master  and  mistress  both,  and  does  as  she  pleases. 
But  some  will  fear  that,  with  her  beau-catchers,  she 
M'ill  catch  a  fool  and  go  to  destruction.  This  would 
be  no  comfort  nor  credit  to  you  or  her.'  Here 

Jacob  Gruber,  (3 


82 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


ended  the  introduction ;  but  I  got  little  thanks  for 
my  ceremony,  politeness,  and  plain  dealing." 

The  following  letter  to  a  delegate  in  one  of  the 
General  Conferences  will  be  found  interesting : 

"As  you  are  in  the  General  Conference — and  a 
very  important  one  it  is  said  to  be — let  me  drop  a 
hint  about  a  part  of  the  Discipline. 

*'  One  of  our  general  rules  forbids  the  putting  on  of 
gold  and  costly  apparel.  In  another  part  we  read : 
'Therefore  give  no  tickets  to  any  till  thej-^  have  left 
off  superfluous  ornaments ;  and  give  no  tickets  to  any 
that  wear  high  heads,  enormous  bonnets,  ruffles,  or 
rings.  In  visitings,  etc.,  we  are  to  guard  against  ex- 
pensiveness  or  gayety  of  apparel.'  Now  as  soon  as 
this  is  mentioned  some  begin  to  laugh,  and  say  we  are 
superstitious,  etc.,  and  perhaps  it  would  not  be  con- 
sidered in  order  to  say  anything  about  such  small 
points  in  some  conferences. 

"  But  what  shall  we  do  with  our  Discipline  ?  '  Mind 
every  point,  great  and  small,'  and  not  mend  our  rules, 
but  keep  them,  etc.  Now  I  pray  and  hope  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  will  do  something,  so  that  there  may 
be  some  consistency  among  us.  Pardon  a  hint,  etc. 
Vote  and  put  the  section  on  dress  out  of  the  Disci- 
pline ;  and  let  preachers  and  members,  young  and  old. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


83 


dress  just  as  they  please.  If  there  is  any  danger,  after 
that  is  done,  of  any  of  our  preachers  or  members 
hurting  the  feelings  of  any  of  our  fine  members, 
put  a  little  short  section  in  something  like  the  fol- 
lowing : 

" '  Question.  Should  we  say  anything  in  our  preach- 
ing or  private  conversation  about  dress  ? 

"  '  Answer.  By  no  means.  This  is  no  time  to  preach 
or  to  speak  about  such  little  things  and  small  points. 
There  is  no  religion  in  dress.  Our  first  preachers 
were  thrust  out  to  raise  a  holy  people,  and  Method- 
ism is  designed  to  spread  holiness  over  these  lands 
and  through  all  this  country,  etc.  We  are  gaining 
ground,  carrying  all  before  us,  going  fast,  and  shall 
soon  be  as  fine  and  fashionable  a  Church  as  any  in 
this  world.' 

"  If  this  will  not  pass  current  (though  it  is  accord- 
ing to  the  custom  adopted  by  not  a  few)  then  do  adopt 
some  plan,  or  modify  the  section  by  leaving  out  some 
words  hard  to  be  understood,  such  as  high  heads, 
enormous  bonnets,  etc.,  and  put  in  plain  words,  such 
as  enormous  sleeves,  bags  of  feathers,  or  balloons ; 
require  decent  and  modest  apparel  that  will  fit  the 
person  whether  it  fits  the  fashion  or  not. 

"  There  was  a  time  when  the  preachers  and  mem- 


84 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK. 


bers  of  our  society  were  convinced  that  there  was  a 
great  deficiency  of  vital  religion  in  the  Church  of 
England  in  America.  It  would  be  an  important  in- 
quiry now,  when  preachers  are  together  from  every 
part  of  America,  What  is  the  state  of  vital  religion 
now  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ?  If  it 
would  be  in  order  let  the  inquiry  be  made,  and  a  re- 
ply too.  If  we  advance  or  increase  in  limits,  stations, 
bishops,  colleges,  preachers,  agents — but  not  in  mem- 
bers and  vital  religion — we  increase  our  expenses  and 
burdens  till  we  sink  under  the  weight,  and  the  Lord 
will  raise  up  another  people  to  be  the  salt  of  the  earth 
and  the  light  of  the  world. 

"  I  hope  you  have  restored  (or  will)  Mr.  "Wesley's 
rule  on  temperance.  It  always  seemed  strange  to  me 
when  the  members  of  our  Church  had  to  join  another 
society  to  be  temperate. 

"  Qner3\  Ought  we  not  to  form  a  ])lain  decent 
dressing  society  in  our 'Church,  and  get  as  many  as 
we  can  to  join  it  forthwith? 

"Another  hint.  Is  there  no  waj'  to  prevent  our 
circuits  being  ruined,  cut  up,  or  crippled,  till  there 
arc  no  appointments  left  that  are  worth  filling  except 
Sundays- -good  clear  Sundays — six  or  seven  for  two 
weeks,  or  one  dozen  appointments  fur  four  weeks; 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


85 


fifty  rest  weeks  in  a  year,  and  constant  complaints 
about  poor  pay  or  support,  and  great  deficiencies  ?  In 
such  cases  the  people  are  burdened,  and  the  preachers 
are  mortified  continually.  Is  there  no  remedy  for 
these  evils  and  defects?  Lord  help,  help  us!  May 
the  fountain  of  wisdom  pour  floods  of  understanding 
on  our  delegates  in  the  General  Conference,  that  all 
they  do  may  be  done  right,  and  finished  quick  and 
complete,  that  they  may  go  to  their  work.  And  may 
the  Lord  send  now  prosperity  everywhere. 

"A  Methodist  preacher  is  to  mind  every  point, 
great  and  small,  in  the  Methodist  Discipline.  The 
Methodists  should  let  their  light  shine  ;  not  be  like  tho 
world,  that  is  in  darkness  and  full  of  darkness. 

"  Many  of  our  members  are  gay  and  fashionable, 
and  do  not  even  appear  like  Methodists.  Do  such 
abstain  from  all  appearance  of  evil. 

"They  have  had  great  preachers,  and  some  of  the 
best,  who  said  nothing  about  such  things,  whose  wives 
were  as  gay  in  their  dress  as  any,  and  the  preachers 
did  not  dress  plain  themselves.  I^ow  if  som^  have 
been  mindful  of  great  points  in  our  Discipline,  some 
ought  to  mind  the  small  points ;  let  me  do  it. 

"  N.B.  If  you  should  have  a  cloudy,  stormy  day  in 
yonr  conference,  and  be  at  a  loss,  read  some  of  my 


86 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


letter  to  give  some  new  thoughts,  and  clear  some 
ideas,  and  brighten  up  the  sky." 

As  he  was  himself  exceedingly  plain  in  his  apparel, 
wearing  a  coat  without  buttons,  and  plain-  as  any 
that  could  be  found  in  Quakerdom,  he  was  particu- 
larly severe  on  the  preachers  who  indulged  in  any 
superfluities.  It  would  almost  throw  him  into  spasms 
to  see  a  preacher  with  a  cane  and  gloves,  and  the 
sight  of  a  cigar  was  insupportable.  It  would  seem 
that  he  was  the  sworn  enemy  of  canes,  vails,  cigars, 
and  dogs.  It  is  said,  such  was  his  aversion  to  the 
latter,  that  on  a  certain  occasion  he  went  out  of  a 
funeral  procession  to  pelt  away  a  noisy  cur  who  was 
following.  He  has  been  known  frequently  to  expel 
them  from  the  church  or  the  house  where  he  was 
holding  meeting.  A  young  preacher  once  thought 
to  escape  his  ire,  when  reproved  by  him  for  carrying 
a  cane,  by  telling  him  that  he  carried  it  to  protect 
himself  from  the  dogs.  "  Ah,"  said  Gruber,  "  is  that 
it  ?    Well,  dog-pelting  is  a  poor  business." 

On  one  of  the  circuits  which  he  traveled  he  had 
•what  he  called  "a  dandy  preacher"  for  a  colleague. 
This  young  man  would  spend  his  rest  days  in  hunting 
and  fishing,  a  recreative  sport  which  Gruber  thought 
was  entirely  incompatible  with  the  ministerial  pro- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


81 


fession.  His  patience  was  sorely  tried,  and  it  seemed 
that  all  his  reproofs  and  exhortations  were  lost  upon 
him.  "What  added  to  his  "  painful  exercises,"  as  he 
called  them,  the  young  man  rose  above  the  dignity 
of  the  saddle  and  saddle-bags,  and  traveled  round  the 
circuit  in  a  gig.  Failing  in  all  his  efforts  to  get  the 
young  preacher  into  the  regular  itinerant  harness  he 
eventually  gave  him  up,  and  prayed  most  fervently 
that  the  Lord  would  deliver  him  from  a  dandy 
preacher  for  a  colleague. 

At  a  camp-meeting  on  a  certain  occasion,  where 
considerable  difficulty  was  experienced  in  getting  the 
people  to  observe  order,  from  the  number  of  young 
persons  who  were  walking  about,  collecting  in  groups, 
and  engaged  in  conversation,  the  presiding  elder,  in 
the  most  respectful  and  courteous  terms,  requested 
them  to  be  seated.  Not  seeming  to  understand,  or 
not  caring  to  comply  with  the  request,  the  young 
people  paid  no  attention  whatever  to  what  was  said, 
but  kept  up  their  walking  and  talking.  Gruber, 
who  was  present,  felt  greatly  aggrieved,  and  rising 
in  the  stand  he  roared  out:  "Mr.  Presiding  Elder, 
you  called  those  young  folks  gentlemen  and  ladies, 
and  they  did  not  know  what  you  meant !"  He  then 
added :  "  Boys,  come  right  along  and  take  seats 


88 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


here,"  pointing  to  the  right ;  "  and  you,  gals,  come 
up  and  take  your  seats  here  on  the  left."  Earnest 
and  peremptory  as  he  was,  yet  so  comical  was  his 
manner  that  their  attention  was  at  once  arrested,  and 
they  came  smilingly  forward  and  took  their  seats. 

At  another  time  the  same  difficulty  occurred.  At 
the  close  of  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  altar,  when  the 
time  had  come  for  preaching  every  effort  of  the 
elder  failed  to  get  the  congregation  orderly  arranged. 
Quite  a  number  were  standing  on  the  seats,  and 
among  them  several  ladies.  Gruber  again  lifted  up 
his  voice,  the  squeaking  German  accent  of  which 
immediately  arrested  attention,  and  said :  "  If  those 
young  ladies  there  only  knew  what  great  holes  they 
have  in  their  stockings  they  wouldn't  be  standing  on 
the  bench  where  they  can  be  seen  by  everybody." 
They  all  dropped  suddenly  as  if  they  had  been  shot. 
Order  was  restored,  and  all  was  quiet.  After  the 
discourse  was  ended  one  of  the  preachers  asked  how 
he  knew  the  young  ladies  had  holes  in  their  stock- 
ings. "  Why,"  said  he  in  his  quizzical  manner,  "  did 
you  ever  know  stockings  without  holes  in  them  ?" 

At  a  camp-meeting  near  Baltimore,  after  the  trum- 
pet had  been  blown  announcing  the  time  for  closing 
the  exercises  in  the  prayipg  circles,  one  of  them,  un- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


89 


willing  to  stop,  kept  on  singing  and  praying.  Gruber, 
somewhat  impatient,  and  evidently  not  pleased  at 
their  want  of  obedience  to  order,  after  standing  near 
for  a  short  time,  shouted  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice, 
"  That's  right,  brothers,  blow  all  the  tire  out !" 

He  seemed  to  have  as  much  a  horror  of  anything 
graceful  in  a  sermon  as  he  had  of  anything  attractive 
and  beautiful  in  dress,  and  took  real  pleasure  at 
times  in  trying  how  rough  and  uncouth  he  could  be 
in  his  expressions  in  the  pulpit.  While  preaching 
in  Camden,  New  Jersey,  one  of  the  stewards  of  the 
Church,  whose  province  it  was  to  tell  the  preachers 
what  he  thought  wrong  in  them,  ventured  to  speak 
to  him  on  the  subject  of  preaching,  and  suggested 
the  propriety  of  his  paying  more  attention  to 
system,  and  to  give  a  little  more  smoothness  and 
grace  to  his  words.  Gruber  listened  to  him  with 
evident  uneasiness,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  closed  his 
remarks  replied :  "  O  very  well ;  you  want  me  to 
preach  very  nice  and  fine  when  I  come  to  Camden 
among  the  fashionable  people.  I'll  try."  When  he 
came  round  again  the  house  was  crowded  to  hear  the 
preacher  in  his  improved  style.  lie  arranged  his 
discourse  in  as  logical  an  order  as  he  was  capable  of, 
and  delivered  it  in  a  more  correct  manner.  TsTot- 


90 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


withstanding  the  change  in  his  style,  he  managed 
to  utter  some  of  the  severest  denunciations  against 
formal  and  fashionable  professoi"s.  He  was  allowed 
ever  after  to  preach  in  his  own  way  in  that  place. 

His  last  sermon  at  Carlisle  is  remembered  by  one 
of  the  professors  of  Dickinson  College,  located  at  that 
place,  as  characteristic  of  his  style  of  preaching.  The 
professors  of  this  institution  were  Methodists,  and  the 
most  of  them,  if  not  all,  were  Methodist  preachers. 
Whenever  he  preached  in  Carlisle  the  professors  and 
students  all  turned  out  to  hear  him.  On  the  occa- 
sion to  which  we  refer  they  were  all  present.  In 
the  course  of  the  sermon  he  remarked  that  the  time 
was  when  Methodist  preachers  went  round  their  cir- 
cuits carrying  their  libraries  in  their  saddle-bags. 
They  would  preach  the  word  as  it  came  to  them. 
"  Now,"  said  he,  "  preachei-s  are  made  at  theological 
schools,  and  they  spend  a  long  time  in  making  their 
sermons.  They  want  to  make  a  great  effort  and  pro- 
duce great  sermons,  and  make  the  impression  that 
they  are  great  men,  and  what  is  the  result?"  Look- 
ing round  intently  for  a  few  moments  on  the  pro- 
fessors and  students,  he  added,  with  emphasis,  "  The 
result  is,  great  fools  1" 

He  was  a  particular  enemy  of  tobacco  as  well  as 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER.  91 

coffee  and  tea,  and  took  every  occasion  to  denounce 
their  use.  "Woe  betide  the  young  preacher  who  would 
cross  his  path  with  cigar  in  his  mouth.  He  was 
sure  to  get  a  sound  reproof  for  indulging  in  the  "  sin- 
ful practice."  He  thus  discourses  on  the  subject: 
"  How  shall  we  cure  or  treat  a  young  preacher  who 
preaches  self-denial,  is  very  severe  on  those  who  take 
a  dram  sometimes,  but  takes  tobacco  himself  without 
ceasing,  and  says  he  cannot  quit  it,  and  it  does  him 
good  ?  Is  not  his  faith  strong  ?  But  still  it  is  not  as 
large  as  a  grain  of  mustard-seed,  or  it  would  remove 
this  mountain  of  sin.  It  is  only  as  large  as  a  grain 
of  tobacco-seed.  What  a  pity  !  I  had  some  acquaint- 
ance with  a  good  man  who  was  a  judge  of  good  to- 
bacco. One  of  his  particular  friends  told  me  that  one 
day  be  was^confused  in  preaching,  and  he  asked  him 
after  meeting  what  was  the  matter  that  he  could  not 
get  along  any  better  ?  '  Why,'  said  the  preacher,  '  be- 
cause I  had  such  bad  tobacco.'  'What,'  said  his 
friend,  '  do  you  chew  tobacco  while  you  are  preach- 
ing V  '  Yes,'  said  he, '  I  always  take  a  fresh  plug  when 
I  begin.'  '  After  this,'  said  his  friend,  '  I  could  always 
tell  by  his  preaching  whether  he  had  good  tobacco, 
and  was  careful  to  furnish  him  with  the  article.'  May 
the  Lord  pity  us,  and  save  us !  So  prays  J.  Gruber." 


92 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


Tlie  Eev.  J.  Ashbrook,  of  jSTew  Jersey,  sends  us 
the  following:  "At  a  quarterly  meeting,  held  in 
Springfield,  Pa.,  Brother  J.  J^ybrand,  of  precious 
memory,  was  presiding  elder,  and  Brother  Gruber 
was  preacher  in  charge.  After  the  usual  duties  of 
the  meeting  were  over,  namely,  preaching,  quarterly 
conference,  etc.,  a  number  of  brethren  went  to  the 
house  of  Bi'other  Bull  to  dine ;  after  which,  and 
during  the  absence  of  Brother  Gruber,  they  indulged 
in  smoking  cigars.  On  the  return  of  Brother  Gruber 
he  exclaimed,  '  Dear  me,  what  a  smoke,'  adding : 

'  Tobacco  is  an  evil  weed, 

And  from  the  devil  did  proceed ; 

It  spoils  your  breath  and  burns  your  clothes, 

And  makes  a  chimney  of  your  nose.' 

Brother  Lybrand  said  to  him,  '  Brother  Gruber,  that 
is  pretty  good  poetry,  but  I  doubt  its  theology ;  I 
do  not  believe  that  the  devil  made  tobacco,  and  you 
must  make  your  assertion  true.'  '  Well,'  responded 
he,  'I  guess  I  can.'  'Get  at  it  then.'  'I  read  in 
the  Scriptures  that  the  mustard-seed  is  the  smallest 
of  all  seeds,  that  is,  the  smallest  of  all  seeds  that  the 
Lord  has  made,  and  ever^'body  knows  that  the  to- 
bacco-seed is  smaller  than  the  mustard-seed,  and 
therefore  the  devil  must  have  made  it.' " 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


93 


CHAPTER  TV. 

Preacliing  in  Ciibins  —  Appoiuted  to  Baltimore  —  Light-street  and  Sliarp- 
strect  Churclios  —  Quaker  Opposition  —  Conversation  witli  a  Qualier 
—  Tlie  Battle  at  North  Point  —  Preaching  to  the  Soldiers  —  Bombard- 
ment— Burial  with  the  Honors  of  War — Sermon  on  the  Fourth  of 
July  —  A  Strange  Procession  —  Dreams  and  Visions  —  Old  Joe's  Vis- 
ion of  Jacob's  Ladder. 

HiTHEKTO  Gruber  liad  been  what  is  denominated  a 
traveling  preacber,  "  holding  forth  the  word  of  life  " 
in  cabins  and  school-houses  and  barns,  as  well  as 
in  the  woods,  in  wild  uncultivated  districts  of  coun- 
try. He  was  thus  brought  into  contact  •  with  all 
classes  and  conditions  of  men,  and  with  all  grades  of 
society.  An  itinerant  service  of  thirteen  years  had 
qualified  him  by  its  vigorous  discipline  for  eflfective 
labor  in  any  part  of  the  Methodist  field.  His  expe- 
rience in  ministerial  labor,  connected  with  his 
versatility  of  talent  and  his  inexhaustible  wit  and 
power  of  repartee,  (notwithstanding  his  asperity,  of 
manner,  which  caused  him  to  be  shunned  by  a 
portion  of  the  Methodists  who  were  ill  at  ease 
under  the  restraints  of  a  discipline  which,  in  their 


94 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


opinion,  more  nearly  resembled  the  asceticism 
of  the  Jesuit  order  than  the  teachings  of  Jesus,) 
drew  around  him  a  much  larger  portion  of  the 
Church,  who  courted  his  society  and  regarded  him 
almost  in  the  light  of  an  oracle.  He  seemed  to  have 
a  dread  of  cities;  and  what  he  called  "the  fashiona- 
ble flummery  of  city  churches  "  gave  him  "  painful 
exercises  "  whenever  it  fell  to  his  lot  to  preach  in 
them. 

Notwithstanding  all  this,  Bishop  Asbury  deter- 
mined to  give  him  a  trial  of  a  city  station,  and  ap- 
pointed him  to  Baltimore.  That  he  might  not  lose 
all  his  comfort,  and  be  subjected  throughout  the 
entire  time  of  his  service  to  preach  to  those  who  did 
not  dress  in  the  same  Quakerlike  plainness  as  him- 
self, and  who  did  not  as  rigidly,  and  hermitlike, 
abstain  from  all  innocent  recreation,  and  were  not, 
like  him,  economical  almost  to  parsimony,  to 
the  Light-street  Church  was  added  the  colored 
Church  in  Sharp-street.  The  colored  congregation, 
which  was  quite  large,  took  great  delight  in  calling 
him  their  elder,  and  he  took  equal  pleasure  in  having 
it  so.  He  accordingly  entered  right  heartily  into  the 
work  of  preaching  to  his  colored  brethren,  and  tliey 
enjoyed  it  amazingly.    The  meetings  in  Sharp-street 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


95 


were  scenes  of  great  excitement,  and  were  entirely 
too  noisy  for  the  Quakers  in  that  vicinity,  who  com- 
plained to  the  grand  jury,  asking  that  grave  body,  as 
a  conservator  of  the  peace,  to  present  them  as  a 
nuisance.  Among  the  witnesses  called  was  an  old 
Quaker  who  lived  not  far  from  the  church,  but  his 
testimony  was  not  sufficiently  clear  and  to  the  point 
to  justify  the  finding  of  a  bill.  One  of  the  Quakers, 
who  was  opposed  to  the  meetings  of  the  colored 
people,  called  on  Gruber  to  enter  his  complaint.  He 
said  the  colored  people  were  very  unruly  and  hard 
to  govern,  and  proffered  his  assistance  in  reducing 
them  to  order.  This  same  godlj'  Quaker  had  already 
given  the  colored  people  a  specimen  of  his  ability  to 
govern  them.  During  the  winter  previous  to  the 
arrival  of  Gruber  he  went  one  night  into  their  meet- 
ing, flourished  his  club,  put  out  some  of  their  lights, 
and  ordered  them  in  the  midst  of  their  singing  and 
praying  to  break  up  their  meeting.  The  pastor  of 
Sharp-street,  aware  of  this  fact,  was  not  only  unwilling 
to  accept  the  proffered  assistance  of  this  Quaker,  but 
gave  him  to  understand  that  the  colored  people 
had  just  as  good  a  right  to  make  a  noise  in  their 
meetings  as  the  Quakers  had  to  sit  in  silence  with 
their  hats  on ;  and  as  they  had  no  colored  people  in 


96 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEH. 


their  churches  in  Baltimore,  he  thought  it  would  be 
advisable  for  them  to  endeavor  to  get  them  into  their 
meetings  and  teach  them  the  true  Quaker  order. 

He  did  not  seem  to  have  the  same  admiration  for 
the  Quakers  that  "Wesley  had,  though  he  approached 
more  nearly  that  singular  sect  in  his  manner  of  dress 
than  the  founder  of  Methodism,  who,  if  we  are  credi- 
bly informed,  was  not  so  far  removed  from  the  fash- 
ionable world  as  to  exclude  all  ornament,  and  wore 
wrist  ruffles.  As  Gruber  was  traveling  one  day 
between  Cumberland  and  Uniontown  he  overtook 
one  of  this  strait  sect.  From  the  plainness  of  his 
dress  the  Quaker  supposed  him  to  be  one  of  their 
number.  The  Quaker  soon  entered  into  couvei*sation 
with  him,  and  asked  him  a  number  of  questions. 
After  he  had  finished,  Gruber  commenced,  and  the 
following  conversation  ensued : 

"Where  did  you  come  from  ?" 

"  From  Virginia,"  replied  the  Quaker. 

"  What  part  of  Virginia  ?" 

"  Apple-pie  Ridge." 

"That  is  a  place  I  have  been  at  in  years  gone  by. 
Is  it  improving  any  ?" 

"O  yes,  it  is;  there  are  a  number  of  Friends 
there." 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


97 


"  Ai'C  there  any  revivals  of  religion  in  those  parts 
among  the  different  denominations?  Are  any  get- 
ting converted  among  the  Friends  at  Apple-pie 
Eidge." 

"  O  yes,  a  good  many,  I  hope." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that;  I  am  always  glad  to  hear 
of  the  conversion  of  souls  anywhere,  and  am  particu- 
larly rejoiced  to  hear  of  conversions  among  the 
Quakers  or  Friends,  as  I  never  heard  of  such  a  thing 
before." 

"Thee  is  uncharitable,  very." 

"  I  do  not  wish  to  be  so.    The  good  news  you 
bring  me  gives  me  a  much  more  favorable  opinion  " 
of  your  people.    Were  there  many  converts  at  Ap- 
ple-pie Eidge  ?" 

"I  hope  a  good  many." 

"  Could  you  give  me  the  names  of  some,  perhaps 
I  might  know  them." 
"  0  there  are  a  number." 

"  Please  to  name  two  or  three,  as  I  want  to  have 
it  to  say  that  people  get  converted  among  the  Quakere 
as  well  as  among  other  denominations." 

The  Quaker  was  silent. 

"  Don't  leave  me  as  uncharitable  as  you  found  me. 
Have  you  ever  been  converted  yourself?" 

Jacob  Gruber.  7 


98 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


"  We  don't  look  at  these  things  and  speak  of  them 
as  thee  does ;  there  is  no  need  of  speaking  or  preach- 
ing, as  every  one  may  turn  inward  and  find  the  true 
teacher  and  inward  light." 

"  Do  you  mean  by  the  true  teacher  and  inward 
light  Jesus  Christ  ?" 

"O  yes,  he  is  the  Great  Teacher." 

By  this  time  they  arrived  at  a  place  where  they 
separated,  and  the  Quaker  turned  to  the  preacher 
and  said,  "  Fare  thee  well." 

During  the  year  he  was  stationed  in  Baltimore 
the  battle  at  Jforth  Point  took  place.  It  was  a  time 
of  great  excitement.  The  soldiers  were  encamped 
around  the  city.  He  went  out  and  preached  twice 
in  the  encampment.  While  preaching  on  Sunday 
morning,  at  Light-street,  the  boom  of  the  cannon 
announced  the  approach  of  the  British  soldiery,  and 
the  meeting  broke  up  in  wild  disorder,  in  the  midst 
of  the  preacher's  ejaculations  "  that  the  Lord  would 
bless  King  George,  convert  him,  and  take  him  to  heav- 
en, as  they  wanted  no  more  of  him."  Gruber  thus 
describes  the  scene :  "  Soon  after  the  soldiers  marched, 
and  prepared  to  give  the  king's  troops  a  warm  saluta- 
tion and  reception,  and  send  as  many  of  them  as  they 
could  to  heaven  or  hell,  without  praying  the  Lord  to 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEK. 


99 


convert  them.  I  will  not  attempt  to  describe  the 
glory  of  the  day  and  niglit  of  the  bombardment,  the 
bombs  and  rockets  flying  in  their  sublime  beauty. 
Still  there  were  persons,  even  in  Baltimore,  who  did 
not  like  the  Avar,  and  blamed  Madison  for  it,  saying 
that  his  administration  was  like  the  street  called  by 
his  name,  which  began  at  the  poor-honse,  went  by 
the  jail,  then  passed  the  penitentiary,  and  ended  on 
Gallows  Hill." 

One  of  the  members  of  his  Church  was  killed  in 
the  battle,  and  buried  with  the  honors  of  •war.  He 
was  pained  with  the  military  display  which  lie  wit- 
nessed at  this  funeral,  and  remarked,  that  he  "  would 
rather  be  buried  with  the  honors  of  Lazarus  the  beg- 
gar than  to  have  soldiers  shoot  into  his  grave,  as 
though  they  wanted  to  kill  him  again,  and  then  fire 
upward,  after  his  spirit,  as  though  they  wanted  to  kill 
that  too." 

Previous  to  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  he 
preached  a  fourth  of  July  sermon,  which  is  so  charac- 
teristic of  the  man,  and  his  style  of  preaching,  that 
we  give  the  substance  of  it  to  our  readers.  His  text 
was  John  viii,  36  :  "  If  the  Son,  therefore,  shall 
make  you  free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed."  He  thus 
introduces  the  subject : 


100 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETJBER. 


"  The  word  preached  by  our  Lord  himself  had  not 
the  same  effect  in  all  places.  In  some  places  he  could 
not  (or  did  not)  do  many  miracles,  because  of  their 
unbelief.  The  apostle  saith  :  '  The  word  preached  did 
not  profit  them,  not  being  mixed  with  faitli  in  them 
that  heard  it.'  Tlie  apostles  (and  their  preaching) 
were  the  savor  of  death  unto  death  to  some,  and  the 
savor  of  life  unto  life  to  others.  When  our  Lord 
spoke  the  words  of  our  text  there  was  a  mixed  multi- 
tude present,  friends  and  enemies,  serious  and  critical, 
caviling  and  opposing  hearers.  He  had  spoken  dif- 
ferent things,  suitable  to  and  necessary  for  his  hearers 
to  hear  and  understand.  He  spoke  of  his  Father  hav- 
ing taught  and  sent  him  to  speak  and  do  what  he  did, 
and  adds :  '  The  Father  hath  not  left  me  alone  ;  for  I 
do  always  those  things  that  please  him.  As  he  sj)ake 
these  words  many  believed  on  him.'  Then  follow 
the  words  of  our. choice: 

"'Then  said  Jesus  to  those  which  believed  on 
him ' — looking  unto  him,  believing  in  him,  and  com- 
ing unto  him,  frequently  imply  the  same  thing ;  we 
must  believe  in,  look  and  come  unto  him,  if  we  would 
be  saved  by  him. 

"  'If  ye  continue  in  my  word :'  we  must  first  receive 
the  ingrafted  word,  as  it  is  called,  before  we  can  con- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


101 


tinue  in  it;  hear,  aud  obey  it:  then  hold  it  fast,  con- 
tinue therein ;  try  our  experience  and  enjoyment  by 
it;  let  it  be  the  rule  of  our  faith  and  practice;  live  by 
it,  etc.,  etc. 

" '  Then  are  ye  my  disciples  indeed.'  A  disciple  is 
a  scholar,  a  learner,  a  follower,  and  Christ  proposes 
himself  as  a  master,  a  teacher,  and  an  example. 
We  become  disciples  when  we  deny  ourselves,  come  to 
Christ,  enter  his  school,  learn  of  him  to  be  wise,  meek, 
and  lowly  in  heart,  not  in  appearance  only,  in  the 
head,  superficially,  etc.,  but  deep  learning,  not  high ; 
deep  humility,  genuine  piety.  A  scholar  must  not 
have  his  own  way,  learn  where, he  pleases,  and  spend 
his,  time  in  looking  at  pictures :  he  must  be  under  the 
discipline  of  his  master.  Christ  saith :  'Take  my 
yoke  upon  you,  and  learn,'  etc.  To  be  disciples  in- 
deed requires  more  than  a  beginning  to  learn,  or  to  fol- 
low. There  must  be  a  progress,  a  continuance,  till 
the  language,  the  art,  or  the  science  is  attained.  The 
scholar  that  becomes  indolent  ceases  to  learn,  breaks 
the  rules  of  the  school,  is  rebellious,  etc. ;  must  be  cor- 
rected, and  expelled  if  he  does  not  reform.  We  con- 
tinue disciples  of  Christ  while  we  obey  and  follow 
him.  '  Ye  are  my  friends  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  com- 
mand you ;'  reverse  this,  and  we  are  his  enemies 


102 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


when  we  break  his  commands.  '  He  that  is  not  for 
me  is  against  me.'  The  disciple  may  be  as  his  Mas- 
ter and  Lord,  have  his  mind,  his  spirit,  and  walk  as 
he  walked.  He  has  left  ns  an  example  that  we  should 
follow  his  steps.  The  disciples  were  first  called 
Christians  at  Antioch.  They  were  like  their  Lord  in 
spirit,  in  self  denial,  in  holiness-of  life  and  convei-sa- 
tion.  All  around  them  might  take  knowledge  of  them 
that  they  had  been  with  Jesus,  and  were  sent  by  him 
to  speak  and  do  as  they  did.  The  apostle  Paul  re- 
proves some  professing  Christians  because  they  had 
privileges,  grace  afforded,  opportunities,  and  time 
sufficient  to  have  been  fathei's,  teachers,  etc.,  yet 
they  had  need  of  milk,  the  food  and  instruction  of 
children.  They  were  not  able  to  bear  strong  meat ; 
so  far  from  being  able  to  teach  others  they  had  need 
of  being  taught  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of 
God,  and  were  unskillful  in  the  word  of  rigliteous- 
ness ;  they  were  babes,  and  not  of  fall  age.  The  Lord 
have  mercy  on  such. 

"  '  And  ye  shall  know  the  truth.'  God  our  Sav- 
iour will  have  all  men  to  be  saved,  and  to  come 
unto  the  knowledo-e  of  the  truth.    Salvation  is  free 

O 

for  all,  since  the  grace  of  God  that  bringeth  sal- 
vation hatli  appeared  unto  all  men.    The  Lord 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


103 


in  his  plan  of  salvation  requires  us  to  come  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  truth ;  he  will  not  force  any 
to  the  truth.  N'o ;  man  need  not  expect  the  grace 
of  God  to  save  him  unless  he  obeys  its  teachings, 
which  is,  to  deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  and 
to  live  soberly,  righteously,  and  godly  in  this  present 
world.  Jesus  Christ  is  the  truth  and  the  way,  and 
through  him  we  have  access,  and  can  come  to  God 
the  Father.  Hence  Jesus  says :  '  Come  unto  me 
and  I  will  give  you  rest.'  This  is  eternal  life  :  to 
know  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ  whom  he 
hath  sent.  The  apostle  writes  in  an  alarming  man- 
ner to  the  Corinthians :  '  Awake  to  righteousness, 
and  sin  not ;  for  some  have  not  the  knowledge  of 
God :  I  speak  this  to  your  shame.'  They  abounded 
in  other  knowledge,  in  gifts,  in  utterance,  etc.,  and 
were  puifed  up  ;  but  they  were  lacking  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  God.  They  knew  not  his  reconciling  love 
shed  abroad  in  their  hearts ;  that  Christ  was  in 
them ;  or  did  not  enjoy  deep  communion  with  God, 
or  feel  and  live  under  the  sanctifying  influences  of 
his  Holy  Spirit.  This  it  was  their  privilege  to  know, 
to  enjoy.    Their  ignorance  of  this  was  their  shame. 

" '  And  the  truth  shall  make  you  free.'  The  ex- 
perimental knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus 


104 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK. 


shall  make  you  free  from  ignorance,  from  the  gnilt, 
misery,  and  death  which  sin  and  error  has  brought 
into  the  world  or  into  the  Church.  Those  who  do 
not  obtain  this  knowledge  and  freedom  are  exposed 
to  the  greatest  danger.  Read  an  awful  passage  in 
point,  2  Thess.  ii,  10-12:  'Because  they  received  not 
the  love  of  the  truth,  that  they  might  be  saved.  And 
for  this  cause  God  shall  send  them  strong  delusion, 
that  they  should  believe  a  lie :  that  they  all  might 
be  damned  who  believed  not  the  truth,  but  had 
pleasure  in  unrighteousness.'  Mark  this  solemn  dec- 
laration. These  persons  heard  the  truth,  they  had 
it  in  reach ;  it  was  in  their  power  to  believe  it,  to 
receive  it,  and  to  be  saved  or  made  free  by  it.  But 
they  did  not  love  it ;  they  loved  error  or  darkness 
more  than  light  or  truth ;  tliey  closed  their  eyes 
against  the  light,  and  neglected  their  salvation ;  re- 
fused to  work  out  their  own  salvation  with  fear  and 
trembling.  Thus,  as  a  prophet  saith,  they  have 
chosen  their  own  ways,  (not  to  learn  and  walk  in 
the  truth,)  and  their  soul  delighteth  in  their  abomina- 
tions. God  saith  :  '  I  also  will  choose  their  delusions, 
and  will  bring  their  fears  upon  them.'  Isa.  Ixvi,  4. 
Thus  it  is  that  many  believe  a  lie,  plead  for  sin, 
have  pleasure  in  unrighteoiisness,  fill  up  the  measure 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


105 


of  their  iniquities,  and  sink  to  damnation.  But  let 
lis  return  to  our  text. 

"  'They  answered  hira,  We  be  Abraham's  seed" — ■ 
they,  those  Jews  who  heard  our  Lord  speak  in  such 
a  manner  to  those  who  believed  on  him ;  not  they 
who  had  become  his  disciples — "  and  were  never  in 
bondage  to  any  man :  how  sayest  thou,  Ye  shall  be 
made  free  V  "  It  is  astonishing  how  they  could  speak 
so  to  our  Lord.  They  must  have  known  that  their 
fathers  had  been  in  bondage,  and  that  they  were 
then  under  tribute  to  the  Romans,  and,  of  course, 
were  not  free.  Strange  to  tell,  many  in  our  day  and 
generation  imitate  those  Jews.  Speak  to  them,  espe- 
cially on  this  day,  about  obtaining  liberty,  or  being 
made  free,  and  they  will  readily  and  loudly  exclaim, 
We  are  free  Americans  and  no  slaves,  and  were  never 
in  bondage  to  any  man !  They  might  remember 
that  their  fathers  were  in  bondage  until  they  fought 
for  and  obtained  their  liberty ;  and  they  ought  not 
to  forget  that  they  may  be  very  dependent  even  on 
man.  They  may  read  or  hear  articles  of  Inde- 
pendence, write  their  names  on  a  paper  to  show  that 
they  are  true  Americans,  and  yet  some  of  them  may 
be  more  in  debt  than  they  are  worth  ;  even  if  the 
old  law  was  in  force,  which  allowed  a  debtor  to  be 


106 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


sold,  with  his  wife  and  children,  and  payment  to  be 
made,  it  would  not  discharge  all  their  debts.  Hence 
many  who  make  a  great  show,  and  talk  loud  about 
their  independence,  are  dependent  on  the  night  to 
run  off  from  their  creditors;  or  taken  and  shut  up, 
and  dependent  on  windows  with  iron-bars  for  light 
in  the  day,  where  they  don't  like  to  be.  Othera, 
who  seem  to  cut  a  figure  and  make  a  great  dash,  who 
are  great  patriots  in  talk,  and  wish  to  be  thought  great 
friends  to  their  country,  especially  when  an  officer 
is  wanting,  would  be  as  poor  as  many  of  their 
neighbors,  if  they  would  pay  their  just  debts,  re- 
store what  they  have  wrongfully  taken,  and  not 
oppress,  distress,  or  defraud  the  poor,  the  ignorant, 
the  laborer,  and  the  traveler. 

"  What  is  all  this  noise  and  parade  about  on  the 
Fourth  of  July  ?  What  means  the  mirth,  the  feasting, 
the  expense,  the  shouts  of  some,  the  huzzas  of  the 
drunken,  and  nonsense  of  others?  The  secret,  the 
spring  of  the  mighty  joy  is,  we  are  not  under  British 
tyranny  or  French  oppression.  We  are  not  in  bond- 
age to  king  or  emperor.  A  query  arises  in  my  mind  : 
Are  we  then  like  the  locusts  who  have  no  king  ?  or 
why  do  many  go  forth  in  bands  to  gambling,  to  plays 
and  balls,  to  barbecues,  horse  races,  parties,  etc.,  and 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


107 


worse.  What  a  pity  that  Jesus  is  not  our  king ;  he 
would  save  us  from  much  labor,  from  much  misery, 
and  from  great  expense.  It  is  frequently  said  we  are 
in  a  free  country  !  It  is  free  to  all  that  are  not 
slaves ;  but  even  in  a  free  country  there  may  be 
miserable  slaves.  Such  are  in  our  own  country. 
May  the  Lord  roll  or  wipe  away  this  reproach  from 
America ! 

"  Jesus  answered  them, '  Verily,  verily,  I  say  unto 
you,  whosoever  committeth  sin  is  the  servant  of  sin.' 
Here  the  wretched  state  of  the  unregenerate  man  is 
brought  to  open  view.  Though  not  in  bondage  to 
any  man,  yet  a  complete  slave  of  the  worst  kind,  and 
in  the  most  wretched  condition.  'To  whom  ye 
yield  yourselves  servants  to  obey,  his  servants  ye  are.' 
Taken  captive  by  the  devil  at  his  will,  slaves  to  pas- 
sion or  appetite  ;  a  free  and  independent  American  a 
slave  to  avarice,  ambition,  and  intemperance. 

"The  memorable  day  is  come;  great  or  little  guns 
usher  it  in  ;  a  whistle  or  a  trumpet  adds  to  the  luster 
and  glory  of  the  opening  morning.  Who  would  not 
rise  early  to  see  the  joy?  Great  preparations  are 
made,  and  multitudes  are  gathering  !  Great  sights  ! 
Common  sense  and  good  sense  unite  with  judgment 
or  sound  reason  to  tell  some  they  have  no  time  or 


108 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


money  to  spend  ;  but  custom  and  appetite  runs  away 
with  the  man  ;  he  must  show  that  he  is  a  true  Ameri- 
can. He  might  be  thankful  to  heaven  for  his 
liberty  at  home,  or  among  praying  persons  assembled 
to  worship  God  ;  but  he  wants  something  better  and 
stronger  to  eat  and  drink  than  home  or  place  of  woi*- 
ship  affords.  Our  situation  at  this  time,  as  a  nation  or 
country,  calls  aloud  for  fasting,  humiliation,  prayer, 
and  intercession,  not  for  feasting  >and  Intemperance. 
The  wise  man's  words  are  proper  at  this  time :  '  It  is 
better  to  go  to  the  house  of  mourning,  than  to  go  to 
the  house  of  feasting;  the  heart  of  the  wise  is  in 
the  house  of  mourning ;  but  the  heart  of  fools  is  in 
the  house  of  mirth.'  Ecclesiastes  vii,  2,  4. 

"  A  heavy  cloud  hangs  over  our  head ;  it 
gathers  blackness,  and  threatens  judgments  and 
punishments  for  our  sins.  '  Sin  is  a  reproach  to 
any  people.'  As  a  people  we  have  taken  great 
liberty  to  sin  against  God  ;  we  have  abused  great 
mercy  and  neglected  a  great  salvation  ;  we  may 
expect  a  great  chastisement  and  destruction  if  our 
reformation  does  not  prevent  it,  and  the  Lord  in 
mercy  undertake  for  us,  and  preserve  and  save  us. 

"Where  is  our  dependence  for  safety,  prosperity, 
or  success,  in  peace  or  war,  if  an  Almighty  arm  is 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


109 


engaged  against  us ?  'If  God  be  for  us  who  can  be 
against  us?'  But  will  he  not  be  avenged  on  such  a 
nation  as  this  ?  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  I  am  more 
afraid  of  slavery  and  infidelity  in  our  country  than 
of  the  British  and  French.  The  sin  of  oppression 
prevails  in  many  parts  of  this  country.  Men  and 
women  who,  according  to  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States,  have  a  right  to  be  free,  ai-e  held  in 
chains  of  bondage,  degraded  down  to  ignorance  and 
wretchedness,  on  a  level  with,  or  beneath  tlie  beasts 
that  perish.  The  cry  of  blood  arises  from  the  ground  ; 
God  has  an  ear  to  hear  it ;  the  poor  and  needy  shall 
not  always  be  forgotten.  Blood,  sweat,  and  tears 
testify  against  the  cruel  oppressor.  The  Judge  is  set 
against  them.  They  cannot  obtain  mercy,  because 
they  showed  no  mercy.  Infidels  glory  in  their  shame, 
and  scatter  firebrands,  arrows,  and  death ;  sport  with 
sacred  things,  and  make  a  mock  of  sin.  Many  follow 
their  pernicious  ways,  their  evil  and  abominable 
practices.  '  By  swearing,  and  lying,  and  killing,  and 
stealing,  and  committing  adultery,  they  break  out, 
and  blood  toucheth  blood.'  Hosea  iv,  2. 

*'  And  what  is  more  distressing  and  alarming,  re- 
ligion is  at  a  low  ebb ;  there  is  too  much  lukewarm- 
ness  and  formality  in   the  Church ;  professors  of 


110 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


religion  conformed  to  the  world  in  pride  and  vanity. 
The  power  of  godliness  is  lacking  in  many.  In 
some  congregations  no  conversions  or  reformation 
for  years  past.  '  Let  the  priests,  the  ministers  of  the 
Lord,  weep  between  the  porch  and  the  altar,  and  let 
them  sa}^,  Spare  thy  people,  O  Lord,  and  give  not 
thine  heritage  to  reproach,'  etc.  Joel  ii,  17.  May 
the  Lord  revive  his  work ! 

"  It  is  said  some  of  your  society  have  acted  badly ; 
this  is  matter  for  lamentation ;  but  know  this,  that 
when  we  have  found  them  out  we  labored  to  reclaim 
them ;  if  there  was  no  reformation  we  expelled  them 
from  our  Church.  But  why  should  some  throw 
stones  at  the  Methodists  while  they  have  many  in 
their  own  Church  to  throw  at  ?  "Where  is  the  denom- 
ination that  does  not  suffer  from  this  cause  ?  In  some 
there  are  even  ministers,  elders,  or  official  characters 
who  are  unconverted,  and  impious,  and  worse ;  at 
least,  strangers  to  the  spirit  and  mind  of  Christ,  or 
else  they  would  not  be  at  the  head  or  tail  of  feasts, 
and  balls,  parties,  etc.,  and  drink  and  associate  with 
drunkards,  etc.  '  Evil  communications  corrupt  good 
manners.' 

"  There  is  a  great  talk  about  war ;  many  comfort 
themselves  on  a  recollection  of  past  favoi's  and  pro- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER.  Ill 

tection;  when  we  were  but  few  and  weak  we  con- 
quered our  enemies,  the  enemies  of  our  country 
or  liberties.  But  it  ought  to  be  remembered  our 
cause  was  good ;  we  had  many  praying,  God-fearing 
leaders  or  rulers.  A  Washington  ought  never  to  be 
forgotten  ;  he  had  his  hours  for  retirement  and  devo- 
tion, and  was  a  firm  believer  in  Jesus  Christ,  the 
Captain  of  our  salvation.  His  plans  were  crowned  with 
success.  The  Lord  gave  us  victory.  Honor  to  the 
general !  he  was  the  glory  of  his  country.  But  glory 
to  the  God  he  worshiped !  May  we  fear  and  obey 
him !  What  can  we  promise  ourselves  with  compa- 
nies of  profane  soldiers,  and  infidel  swearing  officers 
at  their  head,  as  too  many  of  them  are  ?  May  the 
Lord  undertake  for  us,  and  save  our  country.  Mark 
the  spirit  that  prevails  in  our  country  at  celebrations 
of  Independence.  Is  it  not  the  spirit  that  woVks  in 
the  children  of  disobedience  ?  Many  eat  and  drink 
toasts  till  they  can  scarcely  get  up.  Some  must  be 
carried  home ;  others  stagger  along  from  side  to  side ; 
not  able  to  navigate  the  highway,  they  fall  and  wallow- 
in  the  mire,  are  lodged  where  they  could  not  get  their 
dog  to  lie.  Others  feel  strong,  are  for  war  on  the 
spot,  abuse  their  friends,  break  each  other's  bones, 
bite,   or  black  each  other's  eyes,  boast  of  their 


112 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETJBER. 


wisdom,  honor,  riches,  or  liberty,  which  are  all 
scarce  articles  with  them,  almost  out  of  their 
reach. 

"  However,  they  have  kept  the  Fourth  of  July  like 
true  Americans.  But  where  is  the  truth  of  their 
boast  and  liberty?  "You  must  pardon  me  for  abus- 
ing you  or  speaking  as  I  did ;  I  was  drunk  or  in  a  pas- 
sion." Tliis  is  the  plea ;  but  this  doubles  the  crime. 
Keep  sober,  subdue  your  passion,  maintain  your 
liberty,  or  you  are  ruined.  For  whosoever  com- 
mitteth  sin  is  the  servant,  or,  as  it  may  properly  be 
rendered,  the  slave  of  sin.  However  wise  or 
learned,  however  rich,  however  honorable  the 
votaries  of  pleasure,  whosoever  comraitteth  sin  is 
a  slave;  his  knowledge  will  augment  his  misery, 
his  honor  disgrace  him  in  hell,  his  riches  enhance  his 
damnation.  The  rust  (or  abuse)  of  his  gold  and  sil- 
ver eat  his  flesh  like  fire.    All  pleasure  gone  forever. 

"  'But,'  says  one, '  I  don't  profess  religion.'  What 
then  is  your  profession  ?  a  sinner,  a  slave,  a  rebel 
against  the  King  of  kings?  glory  not  in  this.  It  is 
your  sin  and  condemnation  not  to  have  religion  in 
the  accepted  time,  and  to  die  without  it  will  secure 
you  a  complete  eternal  damnation. 

"Fear  and  tremble.    Tlie  greatest  tyrant,  from 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


113 


Pharaoh  down  to  the  most  cruel  slaveholder,  has  let 
his  slave  go  free  at  death,  sometimes  in  some  cases 
before  death.  But  the  slaves  of  sin  and  Satan  must 
live  in  chains  of  darkness  and  death,  everlasting  starv- 
ation and  desperation,  in  everlasting  fire  prepared 
for  the  devil  and  his  angels.  It  *vas  never  prepared 
for  men;  they  fitted  themselves  for  it.  It  was  their 
own  choice.  Clirist  saith  in  our  text,  '  The  servant 
abideth  not  in  the  house  forever  ;  but  the  Son  abideth 
ever.' 

"The  bond  person  shall  be  cast  out,  and  have  no 
inheritance ;  he  can't  abide  in  the  world,  he  is  cast 
out  of  the  Church.  '  The  ungodly  shall  not  stand  in 
the  judgment,  nor  sinners  in  the  congregation  of  the 
righteous.'  Psalm  i,  5.  Tliey  shall  not  enter,  nor 
abide  in  heaven.  The  Judge  will  say :  '  Take  the 
wicked  and  unprofitable  servant,  bind  him  hand  and 
foot,  and  cast  him  into  outer  darkness ;  there  shall  be 
weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth.'  Matthew  xxii,  13  ; 
XXV,  30.  But  'the  Son  abideth  ever'  in  his  inher- 
itance; Head  of  his  Church  ;  Lord  of  lords,  and  King 
of  kings.  But  *  Christ  as  a  son  over  his  own  house : 
whose  house  are  we,  if  we  hold  fast  the  confidence, 
and  the  rejoicing  of  the  hope,  firm  unto  the  end.' 
Hebrews  iii,  6.    The  Lord  has  promised  to  'make 

Jacob  Gruber.  ^ 


114 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTTBEK. 


him  that  overcometh  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of  God, 
and  he  shall  go  no  more  out.'  They  shall  live  for- 
ever in  the  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in 
the  heavens.  '  If  the  Son,  therefore,  shall  make  you 
free,  ye  shall  be  free  indeed.' 

"  The  disciples  #f  Moses,  the  servant  of  God,  had 
to  bear  a  heavy  yoke  of  ordinances,  a  grievous  bur- 
den, more  than  they  or  their  fathers  were  able  to 
bear.  But  Christ  has  blotted  out  '  the  handwriting 
of  ordinances  that  was  against  us,  which  was  contrary 
to  us,  and  took  it  out  of  the  way,  nailing  it  to  his 
cross.'  Col.  ii,  14.  Now,  as  the  Son  of  God  is  lifted 
up,  he  draws  or  invites  all  men  to  look  unto  him  for 
salvation,  for  liberty. 

" '  The  law  was  given  by  Moses ;'  but  the  law 
worketh  wrath:  'for  by  the  law  is  the  knowledge  of 
sin.'  The  law  is  weak  through  the  flesh.  It  cannot 
give  life  ;  it  pronounces  sentence  of  death  on  trans- 
gressors; but  grace  and  truth  came  by  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ.  '  He  bare  our  sins  in  his  own  body  on 
the  tree.'  '  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the  curee 
of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us.'  Gal.  iii,  13. 
'  Jesus  Christ  hath  abolished  death,  and  hath  brought 
life  and  immortality  to  light  through  the  Gospel.' 
2  Tim.  i,  10. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


115 


"  Now  liberty  is  proclaimed  to  the  captives  ;  sin- 
ners are  made  free  from  sin  by  the  Son  of  God  ;  free 
from  wretchedness  and  condemnation.  The  trne 
penitent  or  sincere  seeker  is  crying,  'O  Lord,  I  be- 
seech thee,  deliver  my  soul.'  Psa.  cxvi,  5.  '  God  be 
merciful  to  me  a  sinner.'  Lnke  xviii,  13.  He  prays 
and  groans,  •  O  wretched  man  that  I  am !  who  shall  de- 
liver me  ?'  Eom.  vii,  24.  The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  such, 
and  rich  in  mercy  unto  all  that  call  upon  him.  'Who- 
soever shall  call  upon  the  name  of  the  Lord  shall  be 
saved.'  ■  Romans  x,  13.  A  soul  engaged  in  this  way 
obtains  deliverance.  The  dungeon  shakes,  the  chains 
fall  off.  Casting  every  care  upon  Him,  venturing  all 
upon  him,  believing  in  him  with  a  heart  unto  right- 
eousness, the  believer  is  set  at  liberty ;  he  is  a  child 
of  God  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ.  There  is  now  no 
condemnation  unto  liim.  Those  who  read  the  last 
part  of  the  seventh  chapter  to  the  Romans,  ought  to 
read  the  first  part  of  the  eighth  chapter  before  they 
stop.  After  the  state  of  a  person  under  the  law,  in 
wretchedness  and  condemnation,  struggling  for  de- 
liverance, is  brought  to  view,  then  the  state  and 
enjoyment  of  one  under  the  Gospel  in  grace  is 
pointed  out,  free  from  condemnation  ;  the  law  of  the 
Spirit  of  life  in  Christ  Jesus  hath  made  him  free  from 


116 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  G  RUBER. 


the  law  of  slu  and  death.  The  Son  has  not  only 
made  them  free,  but  blessed  them  with  wisdom  and 
power,  '  that  the  righteousness  of  the  law  might  be 
fulfilled  in  them.'  Eom.  viii.  And  an  apostle  ex- 
horts them  to  'stand  fast  in  the  liberty  wherewith 
Christ  hath  made  us  free.'  Gal.  v,  1.  Free  indeed ; 
tongue  cannot  express  the  joy  of  the  soul  made  free 
indeed  ;  'joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.'  The 
spirit  rejoices  in  Christ ;  the  soul  doth  magnify  the 
Lord ;  salvation  is  the  joyful  sound,  the  song,  etc. 
Jesus  has  the  glor}'.  What  means  the  noise  and 
shouts  of  joy  !  Has  a  person  found  a  piece  of  silver, 
a  sheep,  or  something  that  was  lost  ?  Yes,  more  than 
silver,  or  anything  this  world  can  afford  ;  '  a  pearl  of 
great  price,'  '  the  white  stone,'  '  the  one  thing  need- 
ful,' the  kingdom  of  heaven.  What  mean  the  songs 
of  joy  and  shouts  of  liberty?  The  noise  is  heard  afar 
off.  It  is  the  celebration  of  independence  of  true 
Christians  made  free  indeed  ;  no  longer  dependent 
on  Satan  and  sin  for  pleasure  and  happiness  in  sensual 
delights,  nor  on  the  world  for  riches  and  honor, 
they  are  rich  in  faith,  heirs  of  the  kingdom  ;  '  an 
inheritance  incorruptible  and  undefiled,  and  tliat 
fadeth  not  away,  reserved  in  heaven  for  them.' 
1  Pet.  i,  4.    They  have  the  honor  that  is  from  above. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


117 


Though  they  do  not  drink  toasts  and  give  cheers 
according  to  fashion,  yet  they  drink  of  the  well  of 
salvation,  the  river  of  life,  the  streams  of  grace.  Their 
hearts  are  cheered,  their  souls  are  on  the  wing  for 
glory. 

"  What  means  the  gathering  crowd,  persons  from 
east,  west,  north,  and  south,  from  far  and  near,  male 
and  female  ?  Is  there  a  horse-race,  or  a  feast  ?  'No, 
but  there  are  some  running  the  race  for  eternal 
life.  They  eat  and  drink  with  mournful  joy  and  glad 
hearts,  in  remembrance  of  Him  who  redeemed  them 
with  his  blood,  and  raised  them  from  slaves  to  princes, 
and  from  beggars  to  thrones.  O  glory  to  God !  ho- 
sannah  in  the  highest !  their  hope  is  full  of  immortal- 
ity, their  joy  is  full,  their  souls  are  full  of  glory. 
They  are  not  drunk  ;  they  can  speak  the  words  of 
soberness,  and  are  ready  to  give  an  answer  to  every 
one  that  asketh  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  them, 
with  meekness  and  fear,  etc.  They  know  that  they 
have  passed  from  slavery  to  liberty,  from  death  to 
life,  feel  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come,  and  claim, 
in  virtue  of  their  birth,  a  mansion  in  the  skies. 

"This  is  a  real,  heartfelt  enjoyment,  such  as  the 
world  can  never  give,  nor  the  cattle  on  a  thousand 
hills  afford.    The  world,  with  all  its  pleasures  and 


118 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


treasures,  can  give  but  little  satisfaction,  a  poor  mo- 
mentary delight  or  enjoyment.  "What  happiness  is 
there  in  gatherings  to  see  and  be  seen?  Is  there 
more  happiness  in  eating  at  a  feast,  and  paying  dollars, 
than  eating  wholesome  food  at  home,  and  saving  mon- 
ey for  necessary  or  charitable  purposes?  Does  it 
make  the  soul  truly  happy  to  drink  many  and  large 
toasts,  and  give  mmy  loud  cheere?  Does  it  make  a 
person  truly  wise  to  hear  the  song  of  fools  and  huzzas 
of  the  drunken  ?  Does  it  give  more  real  pleasure  to 
the  mind  to  hear  a  great  gun  than  it  would  to  hear  a 
pop-gun  ?  '  Yanitj'  of  vanities,  all  is  vanity,  saith  the 
preacher.' 

"Cannot  a  man  be  a  true  friend  to  his  country  with- 
out following  after  lying  vanities,  and  drinking  intox- 
icating and  poisonous  draughts,  in  the  fashionable  way 
of  wishing  health  ?  Must  he  '  run  to  excess  of  riot,'  or 
fall  down  and  wallow  in  the  mire,  to  celebrate  his  inde- 
pendence? Must  a  person  be  cursed  all  over,  (and 
that  by  persons  who  are  a  curse  to  a  country,)  over 
tables  and  bowls,  because  he  will  not  drink  whisky 
with  drunkards,  and  keep  compan}'  with  swearere  and 
gamblers,  waste  his  substance  and  time,  neglect  his 
business  and  his  salvation  ?  It  is  surely  far  better  to 
fear  God,  and  fast,  and  pray  for  our  country  and  for 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


119 


all  men,  that  we  may  lead  a  quiet  and  peaceable  life 
in  all  godliness  and  honesty. 

"  In  conclusion  :  If  we  would  enjoy  liberty,  peace, 
and  happiness,  we  must,  in  the  first  place,  make  peace 
with  God,  agree  with  our  adversary,  submit  our- 
selves unto  him.  humble  ourselves  under  his  mighty 
hand,  and  he  will  lift  us  up ;  we  shall  then  enjoy  his 
protection.  'If  God  be  for  us,  who  can  be  against 
us.'  '  "Who  will  harm  us  if  we  be  followers  of  that 
which  is  good.'  In  the  next  place,  we  must  follow 
peace  with  all  men ;  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  have  peace 
with  all.  Then  the  God  of  peace  will  be  with  us,  and 
a  wall  of  fire  around  us;  glory  shall  dwell  in  our  land, 
and  Jesus  reign  King  of  nations,  as  well  as  King  of 
saints  and  Prince  of  peace.  Happy  deliverance, 
thrice  blessed  freedom  from  war  and  bloodshed,  con- 
tention and  strife,  from  every  evil  work  !  Freed  from 
enemies,  free  indeed ;  from  corruption,  from  labor, 
from  sufi'ering  and  sorrow,  where  the  wicked  cease 
from  troubling  and  the  weary  are  forever  at  rest. 
Kot  a  wave  of  trouble  shall  roll  across  their  peaceful 
breasts ;  all  tears  wiped  away,  they  shine  like  the  sun 
in  the  kingdom  of  God  forever.  May  the  Lord  bless 
us  with  this  freedom,  and  crown  us  with  his  glory. 
And  to  him  be  all  the  glory.  Amen." 


120 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEB. 


He  thus  describes  a  strange  procession  which  he 
met  between  Harrisburgh  and  Woodstock  :  "After  the 
war  was  over,  I  passed  a  strange  procession.  I  had 
passed  diflferent  droves  before,  but  never  such  a  one 
as  this.  It  was  composed  of  two  or  three  dozen  of 
colored  men  chained  together  with  a  long  heavy  chain, 
and  a  company  of  women  and  children,  walking  loose 
along  in  the  procession.  They  looked  sorrowful  and 
pitiful.  I  gave  a  glance  at  them  as  they  passed,  and 
looked  sharp  at  three  white  men  who  were  driving 
them.  As  I  passed  them,  I  said,  '  Hail !  Columbia, 
happy  land ;  is  this  free  trade  and  sailors'  rights  ?' 
At  this  they  looked  cross  and  replied,  '  Yes,  we  are 
Republicans.' " 

As  pastor  of  the  colored  people  he  enjoyed  himself 
remarkably  well,  and  was  often  amused  by  their 
peculiarities.  He  allowed  them  perfect  freedom  in 
the  expression  of  their  religious  views,  and  at  the  love- 
feasts  and  general  class-meetings  many  of  their  white 
brethren  would  be  present,  more,  it  is.  to  be  feared, 
out  of  curiosity  than  for  the  purpose  of  deriving  any 
spiritual  benefit.  The  colored  people  are  proverbially 
supei-stitious,  not  more  so,  however,  than  others  of  the 
uneducated  class  among  the  whites ;  they  place  great 
reliance  upon  dreams  and  visions,  and  among  Gru- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  G RUBER. 


121 


ber's  flock  there  were  some  who  had  a  particular  fond- 
ness for  these  mental  exercises.  Of  such  importance 
did  they  consider  a  dream,  especially  if  it  had  a  relig- 
ious bearing,  that  they  would  relate  it  in  meeting. 
At  one  of  the  speaking  meetings  alluded  to,  a  colored 
brother  rose,  immediately  after  one  of  the  sisters  who 
had  related  her  dream,  and  said : 

"Mass'r  preacher,  may  I  tell  you  de  vision  I  had 
de  oder  night  ?" 

"  0  yes!  speak  on,  Brother  Joe." 

"Well,  massa,  I  dreamed  I  saw  Jacob's  ladder 
leanin'  up  aginst  de  sky,  and  I  climbed  him  to  git 
up  to  heaven.  When  I  got  to  de  toppermost  round, 
I  found  it  was  too  short  to  reach  up  to  de  gate.  I 
'eluded  to  splice  him.  When  dat  was  done,  I  begun 
at  de  bottermost  round,  and  went  up  to  de  top  of  de 
toppermost  round,  and  den  from  de  bottermost  round 
of  de  splice  up  to  de  toppermost  round,  but  it  was 
too  short  yet.  Den  I  come  down  and  splice  him 
agin.  Den  I  went  up  from  the  bottermost  round  to 
de  toppermost,  and  from  de  bottermost  round  of  de 
first  splice  to  de  toppermost  round,  and  from  de  bot- 
termost round  of  de  second  splice  to  de  toppermost 
round,  and  I  tell  you,  massa,  it  was  jist  a  little  too 
short  yet.    I  could  see  into  de  gate,  and  dar  de  heav- 


122 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


enly  company  was  marchin'  along  de  bank  of  de 
river  of  life,  and  I  saw  de  angels,  and  heard  de  halle- 
luiah song,  and  saw  de  golden  streets.  Being  some- 
what supple  in  de  jints,  I  thought  I  could  jump  clar 
into  de  heavenly  kingdom  from  de  topperraost  round. 
So  I  give  a  spring,  and  what  do  you  tink,  massa,  was 
de  circumstance?  I  tell  you,  Lor  bless  your  soul,  I 
got  de  blamedest  fall  I  ever  got  in  my  life.  If  I  can't 
git  to  heaven  no  oder  way,  bless  you,  honey,  I'll  not 
try  to  git  dar  agin  by  Jacob's  ladder." 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


123 


CHAPTEE  Y. 

Opposition  to  a  City  Station  —  Appointed  to  Carlisle  Circuit  —  Appointed 
to  the  District— Great  Times  in  the  Mountains  —  Model  Professors  — 
Albright  and  his  People  —  An  honest  Dutchman  judged  —  United 
Brethren  Church  —  Opposition  Line  —  Bishop  Asbury's  "Wish  —  Gru- 
ber's  Sermon  at  the  Washington  Camp-meeting  —  National  Sins  — 
Address  to  Masters  and  Slaves  — Displeasure  of  Slaveholders  — Letter 
from  Eev.  S.  G.  Eoszel  —  Warrant  issued  for  his  Arrest  —  Arrested 
at  Quarterly  Meeting  —  Gave  Security  for  his  Appearance  at  Court  — 
Indicted  by  the  Grand  Jury  for  inciting  Slaves  to  Mutiny  and  Re- 
bellion. 

The  conference  of  1815  was  held  in  the  city  of 
Baltimore,  and  was  drawing  near  its  close  when  the 
intelligence  came  to  Gruber's  ear  that  he  was  to  be 
returned  to  the  city  station.  Feeling,  as  he  ex- 
pressed it,  that  "his  work  was  done  in  Baltimore, 
and  that  he  did  not  wish  to  do  it  over  again,"  he 
hurried  to  the  bishop  and  besought  him  to  change 
his  appointment.  He  had  another  reason,  he  said, 
for  not  wishing  to  stay  in  the  city ;  he  had  been,  to 
use  his  own  language,  "  like  an  ox  under  the  yoke, 
like  a  slave  chained  to  the  oar,  and  almost  at  every 
one's  beck  and  call,  treated  like  a  dog ;  not  a  pet  one 
allowed  to  eat  the  crumbs  which  fell  from  the  mas- 


134 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


ter's  table."  Though  treated  as  a  dog,  he  says,  "  I 
was  not  a  lazy  dog,  nor  a  dnmb  dog,  nor  a  greedy 
dog,  nor  a  stray  dog  that  could  not  find  a  home." 

When  the  appointments  were  announced  his  name 
stood  in  connection  with  Carlisle  circuit,  and  he  was 
thus  happily  relieved  of  the  drudgery  of  a  city 
preacher.  He  had  not  made  many  rounds  when,  in 
consequence  of  the  illness  of  the  presiding  elder, 
Hemphill,  he  was  appointed  by  Bishop  Asbury  to 
the  Carlisle  district.  This  district  was  large,  and  in- 
cluded the  eastern  slope  of  the  Alleghany  Mountains, 
The  quarterly-meetings-  and  camp-meetings  were 
largely  attended,  and  there  were  numerous  conver- 
sions at  each.  In  describing  the  latter  Gruber  said : 
"The  shout  of  a  king  was  in  the  camp ;  great  was  the 
power,  and  deep  was  the  work  of  grace  in  the  heart 
and  the  congregation ;  glorious  were  the  times  of 
refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  The  hills 
and  mountains  echoed  the  sound,  and  the  valleys 
were  filled  with  the  glory.  Old  persons  wept  tears  of 
joy,  and  children  sung  and  shouted  Hosanna  in  the 
highest !"  In  speaking  of  the  young  converts  of 
that  time,  he  remarked :  "  They  took  advice,  and  re- 
nounced the  vain  pomp,  glory,  and  fashions  of  the 
world,  and  would  not  follow  or  be  led  by  them.  The 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


125 


young  people  did  not  grow  so  much  in  the  head  then 
as  they  do  now ;  but  they  grew  more  in  grace  and  in 
the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
There  was  less  backsliding,  and  a  greater  increase  in 
the  membership.  "  We  had,"  said  he,  "  no  opposi- 
tion line  of  camp-meetings  running  then  ;  the  German 
Methodists,  as  they  were  then  called,  united  with  us, 
preached  in  German,  and  shouted  with  us  in  English." 

The  following  account  of  Albright  and  his  people 
is  given  by  Gruber  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Bond :  "  Jacob 
Albright  was  a  German,  a  good  man,  very  zealous, 
headstrong,  but  not  headlong.  His  name  was  not 
so  bright  in  German  as  in  English,  bordering  in  its 
signification  on  break  or  broken.  Some  say  there 
is  nothing  in  a  name,  but  I  think  there  is  great 
meaning  in  some.  This  I  know,  Jacob  Albright  was 
a  Methodist  in  Lancaster  county.  Pa.  He  belonged 
to  a  class  in  New  Holland,  and  had  license  to  exhort. 
When  he  obtained  this  license,  such  was  his  zeal  to 
do  good  that  he  went  out  and  preached,  and  per- 
formed the  rites  of  baptism  and  marriage.  He  de- 
sired to  be  employed  by  the  conference  as  a  German 
missionary;  but  that  body  did  not  think  proper  to 
comply  with  his  request.  Believing  that  the  Lord 
had  called  him  to  preach  among  the  Germans,  he 


126 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKTTBER. 


set  up  for  himself,  remarking  that  he  would  not 
go  with  Boehm  and  Otterbine,  and  other  German 
preacliers,  as  thej'  had  no  discipline,  and  were  like  a 
rope  of  sand.  He  adopted  the  Methodist  discipline, 
and  traveled  at  large,  receiving  members  into  his 
Church  and  forming  classes.  He  got  some  zealous 
young  men  to  help  him.  When  his  Church  was 
fully  organized  the  members  elected  and  ordained 
him,  and  he  in  turn  ordained  his  preachei-s.  He 
had  a  singular  idea  about  secret  prayer,  and  believed 
that  the  most  profitable  way  was  to  pray  aloud, 
which  he  did  ;  and  as  he  had  a  strong  voice,  his 
secret  prayei*s  were  heard  all  over  the  neighborhood. 
I  never  knew  disciples  to  follow  their  master  more 
fully  than  his  did.  They  imitated  him,  particularly 
in  praying;  and  if  I  heard  any  of  them  pray,  without 
knowing  them  or  seeing  them,  I  could  at  once  tell 
that  they  were  Albrights.  Some  of  his  young 
preachei-s  in  a  shoi-t  time  blew  out  in  the  extraor- 
dinary exercise  of  their  lungs.  After  his  death  his 
people  changed  their  name,  and  are  now  known  as 
Evangelicals." 

One  of  the  preachera  of  this  denomination  lived 
in  a  part  of  Western  Pennsylvania,  and  owned  a 
grist-mill.    On  Sunday  he  went  round  iu  the  neigh- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


127 


borhood  to  preach.  From  some  cause  or  other  his 
mind  gave  way,  and  he  was  subject  to  strange  hal- 
hicinations.  He  imagined  himself  to  be  the  judge 
of  the  world,  and  solemnly  set  apart  a  day  for  the 
performance  of  that  work.  He  erected  his  throne  in 
the  woods  not  far  from  the  mill.  As  no  one  knew 
of  his  movements  but  his  miller,  that  personage  de- 
termined to  watch  them.  Jacob  Fulvveiler  was  the 
name  of  this  preacher.  He  had  in  the  same  section 
of  country  two  competitors  in  the  milling  business, 
whom  he  thought  were  not  exactly  as  honest  as 
they  should  be.  At  length  the  day  of  judgment 
came  and  the  judge  ascended  his  throne,  and  in  loud 
but  solemn  tones  he  exclaimed :  "  Peter  Schmidt ! 
Peter  Schmidt !  Peter  Schmidt !  come  to  the  schudg- 
ment !"  After  a  short  pause  he  said :  "  Well,  Peter, 
you  have  a  mill  you  knows,  and  de  peoples  say  you 
dakes  too  much  toll."  Pausing  again,  he  then  an- 
swers for  Peter : 

"  Yes,  my  Lord,  I  does  take  too  much  toll ;  but 
den  you  knows  de  times  is  hai-d,  and  de  water  is  low 
and  de  taxes  is  high." 

"  Peter  Schmidt,  take  your  place  on  de  left  among 
de  goats." 

The  next  summons  was  to  John  Lang.  "Shon 


128 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


Lang,  come  to  scliudgment.  You  keeps  a  mill 
you  knows.  Does  you  not  dake  too  much  tolls, 
Shon?" 

"  Yes,  Lord,  I  does;  but  I  has  a  large  family,  and 
have  to  pay  de  breachers,  and  de  times  is  hard." 

"  Shon  Lang,  stand  on  de  left  mit  Peter  Schmidt 
and  de  goats." 

After  judgment  was  passed  upon  his  neighbors  he 
then  summoned  himself.  "  Jacob  Fulweiler,  now 
you  comes  to  schudgment.  Does  you  not  dake  too 
much  tolls  at  your  mill  ?" 

After  a  short  pause  he  responded  gravely :  "  Yes, 
my  Lord,  I  fears  I  does  dake  too  much  tolls.  You 
know  de  times  is  hard,  and  de  water  low  and  de 
taxes  high ;  but  den  I  gives  some  of  de  stealings  to 
de  boor  beoples." 

"  Very  well,  Jacob  Fulweiler,  you  may  go  on  de 
right  among  de  sheep ;  but  it's  a  very  tight  squeeze, 
I  dell  you." 

Gruber  thus  refere  to  the  formation  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church:  "In  the  year  1815  the  Germans 
had  what  they  called  a  General  Conference  in 
Mount  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  county,  Pa.,  com- 
posed of  fourteen  preachera.  "  I  was  at  it,  but  not 
in  it,  and  was  acquainted  with  ten  of  the  number. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE.  129 

They  made  a  Discipline,  and  organized  themselves 
into  a  Church.  Being  all  Germans,  they  labored  for 
some  years  among  that  people  according  to  their 
original  plan ;  but  when  some  English  members  and 
preachers  joined  thera,  it  was  not  long  until  they 
found  out  that  their  society  was  as  old  as  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  if  not  older.  Many 
who  were  called  members  were  opposed  to  being 
classed,  or  having  their  names  on  a  class-paper,  and 
for  their  accommodation  they  adopted  the  plan  of 
open  doors  for  class-meetings  and  love-feasts.  De- 
termined not  to  bo  bigoted  and  contracted  as  the 
Methodists,  they  give  their  meetings  the  same  name 
as  ours,  but  conduct  them  differently.  They  work 
with  their  tools,  take  our  patterns,  and  alter  them 
to  suit  their  views  and  fancy,  without  any  kindness 
to  us  or  credit  to  them." 

The  bishops  about  this  time  desired  to  have  Gru- 
ber  go  out  as  a  missionary  among  the  Germans ;  but 
not  wishing,  as  he  expressed  it,  "  to  run  an  opposi- 
tion line,"  or  come  in  contact  with  the  Albrights 
and  United  Brethren,  who  professed  to  preach 
Methodist  doctrines,  he  declined.  Bishop  Asbury 
was  particularly  anxious  about  organizing  a  mission 
among  the  Germans,  and  in  a  letter  to  Gruber  from 

Jacob  Qnbw.  9 


130 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


Chambersburgh,  a  short  time  before  his  death,  he 
sajs :  "  Let  it  be  known  that  one  of  the  grand  acts  of 
my  life  was  the  organization  of  a  capital  mission 
among  the  American  Germans." 

While  Gruber  was  presiding  elder  of  the  Carlisle 
district,  the  most  remarkable  event  perhaps  in  his 
life  occurred.  It  has  already  appeared  to  the  reader 
that,  like  all  the  Methodist  preachers  of  that  day 
in  the  slaveholding  states,  he  bore  testimony  against 
the  evils  of  slavery.  The  rough  thunderbolt  manner 
however  in  which  he  denounced  wicked  masters 
sometimes  excited  their  ire.  Tlie  event  to  which  we 
allude  grew  out  of  a  sermon  preached  by  him  at  a 
camp-meeting  held  in  Washington  county,  Mar^iand, 
on  the  sixteenth  of  August,  1818.  Though  presiding 
elder  of  the  district,  he  had  not  the  charge  of  this 
jTieeting,  and  was  simply  there  as  a  visiting  minister. 
The  sermon  was  delivered  on  Sabbath  evening ;  and 
to  show  that  there  was  nothing  premeditated  in  it, 
or  that  he  had  the  least  collusion  with  any  one,  white 
or  black,  he  tried  hard  to  persuade  a  brother  minis- 
ter to  preach  in  his  place.  As  no  substitute  could  be 
procured,  it  became  his  duty  to  preach.  As  usual, 
when  he  preached  on  such  occasions,  there  was  a 
large  attendance,  and  the  whole  force  of  the  encamp- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


131 


ment  was  out  to  hear  liim.  There  were  present  four 
or  five  thousand  whites  and  between  three  and  four 
hundred  blacks.  His  prayer  was  unusually  fervent, 
abounding  in  petitions  for  the  conversion,  happiness, 
security,  and  protection  of  his  congregation. 

His  text  was  Proverbs  xiv,  3i :  "Righteousness 
exalteth  a  nation  ;  but  sin  is  a  reproacK  to  any 
people." 

His  sermon  was  divided  after  the  old  style  of  Meth- 
odist preaching,  being  a  simple  textual  arrangement, 
consisting  of  a  question  and  a  declaration.  On  the 
question,  "  What  kind  of  righteousness  exalts  a  na- 
tion    he  noticed : 

1.  "  Right  principles,  sound  doctrine,  sentimental 
righteousness."  Under  the  head  of  sound  doctrines  he 
noticed  the  fall  and  original  depravity  of  man,  his 
redemption  by  Christ,  and  the  doctrines  of  repent- 
ance, faith,  and  holiness,  together  with  rewards  and 
punishments  in  a  future  life.  He  remarked  that  a 
belief  in  these  truths  would  make  the  head  right,  and 
would  make  a  person  or  a  nation  upright,  and  dis- 
tinguish them  from  the  ignorant  and  superstitious, 
the  infidel  and  the  heathen.  Sound  doctrines  would 
not  only  affect  the  head  but  the  heart,  producing  ex- 
perimental righteousness.    Upon  all  such  the  Spirit 


132 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


of  the  Lord  would  come,  which  would  be  a  Spirit  of 
grace,  peace,  adoption,  love  and  liberty ;  not  a  spirit 
of  fear,  but  of  power  and  of  a  sound  mind,  more 
excellent  than  the  spirit  of  this  world.  Such  an 
infusion  of  the  Spirit  would  make  the  heart  right,  and 
cleanse  the  inside  of  a  person  or  a  nation ;  while  those 
who  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ  were  none  of  his. 

2.  "  This  righteousness,"  he  said,  "  would  not  only 
correct  the  head  and  the  heart,  but  it  would  control 
the  conduct  and  produce  practical  righteousness. 
The  life  would  be  right,  without  which  all  sentiments, 
notions,  experience,  and  professions  of  righteousness 
would  prove  of  no  value  in  the  dying  hour  and  at  the 
bar  of  God.  According  to  the  Scriptures,  it  was  made 
known  that  '  in  every  nation  he  that  feareth  God 
and  worketh  righteousness  is  accepted  of  him,'  '  He 
that  doeth  righteousness  is  righteous  even  as  God  is 
righteous ;'  and  if  it  is  known  that  God  is  righteous, 
so  every  one  that  doeth  righteously  is  born  of  him 
and  belongs  to  the  heavenly  family.  The  word  of 
the  Lord  declares  that  '  the  righteous  shall  eat  of 
the  fruit  of  their  doings;'  and  if  they  are  faithful 
unto  de^ith  they  shall  have  a  crown  of  life,  and  share 
in  the  triijmplis  of  tlie  first  resurrection."  He 
summed  up  this  branch  of  his  subject  by  remark- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


133 


ing  that  in  these  particulars  were  comprised  all  that 
was  necessary  for  him  to  say  on  the  subject  of 
national  and  personal  righteousness,  and  that  who- 
ever lacks  in  either  of  these  important  particulars 
was  not  scripturally,  experimentally,  and  practically 
righteous. 

The  second  division  of  his  subject  contained  the 
following  declaration  :  "  Sin  is  a  reproach  to  any 
people^  nation,  or  person.  .  Sin  is  the  transgression  of 
the  law,  and  the  way  of  transgressors  is  hard.  He 
that  committeth  sin  is  the  servant  of  sin,  and  sin  is  a 
reproach  to  any  people,  no  matter  what  their  position  ; 
and  to  any  person,  no  matter  what  his  rank.  If  they 
are  law-makers,  it  is  a  reproach  to  them  to  break  the 
laws  they  make  at  a  great  expense  to  the  public ; 
rulers,  magistrates,  and  others,  whose  duty  it  is  to 
execute  the  laws,  and  who  should  be  a  terror  to  evil- 
doers, and  a  praise  to  tliem  that  do  well,  should  not 
bring  a  reproach  upon  themselves  by  breaking  these 
laws.  What!  a  drunken  magistrate  to  administer 
solemn  oaths  to  others,  and  be  a  profane  swearer 
himself?    Shame  on  him,  even  if  he  were  a  judge. 

"  Sin  is  a  reproach  to  the  rich,  who  have  many 
advantages,  and  ought  to  be  thankful  and  religious 
stewards,  so  that  they  may  be  enabled  to  give  a  good 


134 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


account  of  their  stewardship.  It  is  a  reproach  to  the 
poor,  who  have  but  little  in  this  world,  and  ought  to 
lay  up  treasure  in  heaven  and  be  rich  in  faith,  giving 
glory  to  God.  It  is  a  reproach  to  parents,  to  fathers 
and  mothers,  who  should  set  a  good  example  fo  their 
children,  that  they  and  their  house  might  serve  the 
Lord.  It  is  a  reproach  to  the  aged,  who  are  on  the 
brink  of  the  grave,  and  ought  to  be  in  preparation  for 
death.  It  is  a  reproach  to  the  young,  who  should 
remember  their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their  youth, 
and  seek  the  Lord  early,  that  they  may  be  saved 
from  evil  habits,  which  lay  a  foundation  for  misery 
and  destruction. 

"  Sin  is  a  reproach  to  professors  of  religion.  To 
name  the  name  of  Christ,  and  not  depart  from 
iniquity  ;  to  profess  in  words  that  they  know  God, 
and  at  the  same  time  in  works  deny  him  ;  to  plead  for 
Christ  and  advocate  the  cause  of  Satan,  is  an  incon- 
sistency without  a  parallel,  and  a  hypocrisy  unpar- 
donable. The  Lord  says,  *  Cry  aloud  and  spare  not ; 
show  my  people  their  transgressions,  and  the  house  of 
Jacob  their  sins.'  All  the  righteousness  or  religion 
that  some  people  have  is,  alas  for  them!  only  found 
in  their  prayer-book,  a  mere  form  or  ceremony 
without  the  power ;  and  their  devotion  is  carried  ou 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


135 


by  a  kind  of  moral  machinery.  The  organ  sings 
praise,  and  if  a  machine  could  be  invented  to  pray 
with  it  would  be  an  accommodation  ;  it  would  save 
the  labor  and  trouble  of  reading  prayers. 

"  But  there  are  what  might  be  called  national  sins, 
which  are  a  reproach.  And  first  in  the  catalogue  is 
the  sin  of  infidelity,  which  consists  in  denying  revela- 
tion, Christ,  and  religion,  and  also  denying  the  power 
of  godliness.  The  next  is  the  sin  of  intemperance, 
fearfully  prevalent  especially  among  our  national 
men.  Tippling,  which  leads  to  drunkenness,  is 
frightfully  common.  "We  may  Safely  calculate  on  a 
nation  of  drunkards  if  the  common  use  of  spirit- 
uous liquors  is  encouraged  and  contimied.  It  is 
lamentable  that  many  of  our  young  men,  and  even 
boys,  smoke  and  drink,  sport,  revel,  and  gamble,  get 
drunk,  and  run  fast  to  excess  and  riot.  It  would  be 
an  honor  to  them  if  they  would  learn  sobriety. 
Then  there  is  the  sin  of  profanity.  'Because  of 
swearing  the  land  mourneth.'  It  is  a  great  reproach 
to  profane  the  name  of  the  Lord  and  the  Sabbath,  and 
ordinances  of  his  Church.  What  dependence  can  be 
placed  in  an  oath  of  a  person  who,  in  common 
conversation,  swears  a  score  of  oaths  per  day  ? 
Can  such  a  man  be  a  friend  to  his  country  who 


136 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


breaks  the  law  of  God  and  man?  or  can  he  he  an 
honest  man  until  he  goes  before  a  magistrate 
and  pays  the  lawful  fine  for  every  profane  oath 
uttered  by  him  ?  '  The  way  of  transgressors  is  hard,' 
and  if  a  man  swears  he  ought  to  pay  for  it  as  the  law 
demands. 

"The  last  national  sin  is  slaveiy  and  oppression. 
This  in  particular  is  a  reproach  to  the  nation.  Other 
nations  who  are  under  the  yoke  of  despots  are  pitied, 
especially  when  they  are  ground  down  under  the 
iron  heel  of  oppression.  This  nation  is  happily 
delivered  from  such  bondage.  We  live  in  a  free 
country;  and  that  all  men  are  created  equal,  and  have 
inalienable  rights,  such  as  life,  liberty,  and  the  pur- 
suit of  happiness,  we  hold  as  self-evident  truths.  But 
there  are  slaves  in  our  country,  and  their  sweat,  and 
blood,  and  teai-s  declare  them  such.  The  voice  of 
our  brother's  blood  crieth.  Is  it  not  a  reproach  to  a 
man  to  hold  articles  of  liberty  and  independence  in 
one  hand  and  a  bloody  whip  in  the  other,  while  a 
neffro  stands  and  trembles  before  him  with  his  back 
cut  and  bleeding  ? 

"  There  is  a  laudable  zeal  manifested  in  our  coun- 
try to  form  Bible  and  missionary  societies,  to  send 
the  Scriptures  and  the  Gospel  to  heathen  nations. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


137 


Would  it  not  be  well  for  some  to  be  consistent,  and 
instruct  the  heathens  at  home  in  their  kitchens,  and 
let  them  hear  the  Gospel  likewise  ?  What  would 
heathen  nations  at  a  distance  think  if  they  were  told 
that  persons  who  gave  libei-ally  to  send  them  the  Bi- 
ble and  the  Gospel  did  not  read,  believe,  or  obey  it 
themselves,  or  teach  their  own  families  to  read  that 
^  book,  or  allow  them  time  to  hear  the  Gospel  of  their 
salvation  preached  ?  There  is  some  difference  even 
in  this  comitry.  We  Pennsylvanians  think  it 
strange,  and  it  seems  quite  curious  to  read  in  the 
public  prints  from  some  states  an  advertisement 
like  this :  '  For  sale,  a  plantation,  a  house  and  lot, 
horses,  cows,  sheep,  and  hogs.  Also,  a  number  of 
negroes,  men,  women,  and  children,  some  very  valu- 
able ones.  Also,  a  pew  in  such  and  such  a  church.' 
Again  :  '  For  sale,  a  likely  young  uegi'o,  who  is  an 
excellent  waiter,  sold  for  no  fault,  or  else  for  want  of 
employment.'  These  are  sold  for  cash,  for  four,  five, 
six,  seven,  or  eight  hundred  dollars  a  head ;  soul  and 
body  together,  ranked  with  horses,  hogs,  etc.  Look 
further  and  see,  '  Fifty  dollare  reward,  one  hundred 
dollars  reward,  two  hundred  dollars  reward.'  What 
for  ?  Has  an  apprentice  run  away  from  his  master  ? 
No :  perhaps  a  reward  for  him  would  be  six  cents. 


138 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKTJBER. 


A  man  that  ran  off  has  probably  gone  to  see  his  wife, 
or  child,  or  relations,  who  have  been  sold  and  torn 
from  him,  or  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  a  free  country 
and  get  clear  of  tyranny.  In  this  inhuman  traffic  and 
cruel  trade  the  most  tender  ties  are  torn  asunder,  and 
the  nearest  connections  broken.  That  which  God 
has  joined  together  let  not  man  put  asunder.  This 
solemn  injunction  is  not  regarded.  Will  not  God  be 
avenged  on  such  a  nation  as  this? 

"  But  some  say,  '  We  use  them  well,  and  even  bet- 
ter than  they  would  use  themselves  if  they  were 
free.'  Granted  ;  but  what  assurance  have  they  that 
your  children,  or  those  to  whom  you  may  bequeath 
them,  will  use  them  as  you  do.  May  they  not  tyran- 
nize over  them  after  you  are  dead  and  gone,  and 
may  hot  the  slaves  thus  abused  rise  up  and  kill  your 
children,  their  oppressor,  and  be  hung  for  it,  and  all 
go  to  destruction  together  ?  The  Lord  have  mercy 
on  their  souls!  Such  alarming  and  dreadful  conse- 
quences may  attend  and  follow  this  reproachful  sin  in 
our  land  and  nation  : 

'  Is  there  not  some  choaon  curse, 
Some  secret  thunder  in  the  stores  of  heaven, 
Red  with  uncomnion  wratli,  to  blast  the  wretch 
T)iflt  troflacks  in  the  blood  of  souls  1'  " 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER, 


139 


Having  delivtired  his  message  fully  and  freely  to 
the  masters,  he  then  turned  to  the  slaves,  who 
were  seated  in  the  rear  of  the  stand,  and  thus  ad- 
dressed them  : 

"  Of  all  people  in  the  world  you  ought  to  have 
religion  ;  you  have  most  need  of  it,  in  order  that  you 
may  enjoy  some  peace  and  happiness :  there  is  no 
peace  to  the  wicked.  Some  of  you  have  good  mas- 
ters. Ton  ought  to  attend  to  religious  duties.  Never 
be  absent  from  family  prayer  when  it  is  in  your  power 
to  attend ;  discharge  your  duty,  and  it  will  make 
your  situation  more  agreeable  here,  and  certainly 
hereafter.  Some  of  you  have  cruel  masters ;  are 
slaves  to  thera,  slaves  to  sin,  and  slaves  to  the  devil ; 
and  if  you  die  without  religion,  you  will  be  slaves  in 
hell,  forever  miserable,  wretched,  poor,  and  lost  to 
all  eternity.  But  if  you  repent  and  get  converted, 
be  made  free  from  sin,  serve  the  Lord  faithfully  unto 
death,  however  hard  your  situations  may  be  in  this 
world,  your  sufferings  will  soon  be  over,  and  you 
may  have  crowns  and  kingdoms  in  glory,  where  the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  every  tear  is  dry, 
and  be  happy  in  heaven  forever,  while  wicked  mas- 
ters are  turned  into  hell,  and  damned  forever." 

Some  of  the  slaveholdere  present  were  much  dis- 


140 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


pleased  at  the  sermon,  and  it  was  rumored  that  he 
would  be  arrested.  He,  however,  continued  to  fill 
his  appointments.  A  few  weeks  after  the  camp- 
meeting  a  warrant  was  issued  for  his  arrest.  He 
received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  S.  G.  Eoszel,  dated 
Middletown,  Oct.  11,  from  which  we  make  the  fol- 
lowing extract : 

"I  rather  suppose  your  enemies  in  Washington 
county  will  try  all  they  can  to  injure  you.  I  think 
you  need  not.  fear  them.  The  God  whose  you  are, 
and  whom  you  serve,  will,  I  trust,  deliver  you,  and 
laugh  to  scorn  the  cruel  power  and  machinations  of 
your  enemies.  It  will  be  a  struggle  between  vice 
and  virtue.  I  have  seen  Brother  Pigman  on  the 
busiuess,  and  he  has  promised  to  interest  on  your 
behalf,  should  you  be  arrested,  Lawyer  Taney, 
the  most  influential  and  eminent  barrister  in  Wash- 
ington and  Frederick.  Should  they  sue  the  warrant 
on  you,  if  the  magistrate  before  whom  you  appear 
believes  the  prosecution  to  be  malicious,  or  that 
there  is  no  cause  for  action,  he  can  at  once  dis- 
charge you  ;  if  not,  you  must  give  bail  for  your 
ajjpearance  at  court.  A  statement  Brother  Euhart 
has  from  Brother  Pigman  will  show  you  your  rights 
and  privileges,  of  which,  were  I  in  your  case,  I  would 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEB. 


141 


avail  myself;  and  in  case  of  arrest,  when  I  appeared 
before  the  court,  remove  the  trial  to  Frederick 
county.  It  will  also  show  you  how  much  they  will 
be  in  your  power,  if  on  trial  a  jury  should  determine 
in  your  favor.  May  the  Lord  be  with  you,  and 
bless  you  in  all  things.  I  design,  if  I  can,  to  meet 
you  at  your  quarterly  meeting  at  "Washington;  and, 
if  I  can,  to  bring  Brother  Snethen  with  me,  that  in 
case  they  should  there  arrest  you,  we  may  be  ready 
to  assist  you  in  the  business." 

About  two  months  after  the  issuing  of  the  warrant 
he  was  arrested  at  a  quarterly  meeting  in  Williams- 
port.  He  went  before  a  magistrate  and  gave  the 
necessary  security  for  his  appearance  at  court.  He 
was  obliged  to  desist  from  his  regular  work,  and 
sought  the  counsel  of  his  lawyers,  Messrs.  Pigman 
and  Roger  B.  Taney,  now  Chief  Justice  of  the  Su- 
preme Court  of  the  United  States.  At  the  session  of 
the  court,  which  was  held  in  Hagerstown,  he  pre- 
sented himself  for  trial.  The  case  was  submitted  to 
the  grand  jury,  who,  after  two  weeks  of  labor,  brought 
forth  an  indictment. 


I 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Bill  of  Indictment  —  Opening  of  the  Case  —  Examination  of  Witnesses  in 
behalf  of  the  State  —  Opening  Address  ou  behalf  of  the  Defendant 
by  Roger  B.  Taney  of  Washington  City  —  Examination  of  Witnesses 
for  the  Defense  —  Testimony  of  Rev.  N.  Sncthen  —  Rev.  J.  Mason  — 
Rev.  J.  Forrest— H.  G.  O'Neal  — Mr.  Long— Rev.  L.  Everhart— Rev. 
S.  L.  Davis  —  Jacob  Bovrlus  —  John  Bowlua — Messrs.  Brazier,  Hunt, 
Bcaler,  Blake,  Middlekauff,  White,  and  Reynolds —  Rev.  F.  Stier  — 
Rev.  Stephen  G.  Roszel  — Rev.  Abuer  Neal  — Closing  Argument  for* 
the  Prosecution  —  Mr.  Martin's  Argument  for  the  Defense  —  Argu- 
ment of  Mr.  Pigman,  Counselor  for  the  Defense  —  Mr.  Taney  concludes 
the  Defense  —  Verdict  of  the  Jury. 

The  following  is  the  bill  of  indictment  found  by  the 
grand  jury  of  Washington  county  : 

CHARGE  I. 

"  State  of  Maryland,  Washington  county,  to  wit: 
"The  jurors  for  the  State  of  Maryland,  for  the 
body  of  Washington  county,  upon  their  oath  present : 
That  Jacob  Gruber,  late  of  said  county,  clerk,  being 
a  person  of  an  evil,  seditious,  and  turbulent  disposi- 
tion, and  maliciously  intending  and  endeavoring  to 
disturb  the  tranquillity,  good  order,  and  government 
of  the  State  of  Maryland,  and  to  endanger  the  persons 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


143 


and  property  of  a  great  number  of  the  quiet  and 
peaceable  citizens  of  said  state,  on  the  16th  day  of 
August,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight 
hundred  and  eighteen,  at  the  county  aforesaid,  unlaw- 
fully, wickedly,  and  maliciously  intended  to  instigate 
and  incite  divers  negro  slaves,  the  property  of  divers 
citizens  of  the  said  state,  to  mutiny  and  rebellion,  for  the 
disturbance  of  the  peace  of  said  state,  and  to  the  great 
terror  and  peril  of  the  peslceable  citizens  thereof.  And 
that  the  said  Jacob  Gruber,  in  prosecution  of  his  said 
wicked  intention  and  purpose,  and  for  the  effecting 
and  accomplishment  thereof,  on  the  said  sixteenth  day 
of  August,  with  force  and  arms  at  the  county  afore- 
said, unlawfully,  wickedly,  maliciously,  and  advisedly 
did  endeavor  to  stir  up,  provoke,  instigate,  and  incite 
divers  negro  slaves,  whose  names  to  the  jurors  afore- 
said are  as  yet  unknown,  the  property  of  divers  citi- 
zens of  the  said  state,  and  inhabiting  in  the  county 
aforesaid,  with  force  and  arms,  unlawfully,  seditiously, 
and  wickedly  to  commit  acts  of  mutiny  and  rebellion 
in  the  said  state,  in  contempt  and  in  open  violation 
of  the  laws,  good  order,  and  government  of  this  state, 
to  the  evil  and  pernicious  example  of  all  others  in 
like  case  offending,  and  against  the  peace,  government, 
and  dignity  of  the  state." 


144 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


"CHARGE  n. 

"And  the  jurors  aforesaid,  upon  their  oaths,  do 
further  present,  that  the  said  Jacob  Gruber,  being 
such  person  as  aforesaid,  and  unlawfully,  wickedly, 
and  maliciously  designing,  intending,  and  endeavor- 
ing again  to  disturb  the  peace,  tranquillity,  good 
order  and  government  of  the  said  state ;  and  further, 
to  endanger  the  persons  and  property  of  the  quiet 
and  peaceable  citizens  of  said  state,  and  to  incite  a 
great  number  of  other  negro  slaves,  the  property  of 
divers  citizens  of  the  State  of  Maryland,  to  disobedi- 
ence, insubordination,  and  rebellion,  to  and  against 
their  masters,  and  to  break  the  peace  of  the  said 
state  upon  their  said  masters,  to  the  great  peril, 
annoyance,  and  disturbance  of  the  quiet  and  peace- 
able citizens  of  said  state,  afterward,  to  wit :  on  the 
day  and  year  aforesaid,  with  force  and  arms,  at 
Washington  county  aforesaid,  unlawfully,  wickedly, 
maliciously  and  advisedly,  did  endeavor  to  stir  up, 
provoke,  instigate  and  incite  a  great  number  of  the 
last  mentioned  negro  slaves,  whose  names  to  the  jurors 
aforesaid  arc  as  yet  unknown,  the  property  of  divers 
citizens  of  said  state,  and  inhabiting  in  the  said 
county  aforesaid,  with  force  and  arms,  unlawfully, 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK. 


145 


seditiously,  and  wickedly,  to  resist  the  lawful 
authority  of  their  said  respective  masters  and  lawful 
owners,  whose  names  to  the  jurors  aforesaid  are  as 
yet  unknown,  and  to  break  the  peace  of  the  said 
state  upon  their  masters  and  lawful  owners  to 
the  great  damage  of  the  said  masters,  in  contempt 
and  open  violation  of  the  laws,  good  order,  and  gov- 
ernment of  this  state,  to  the  evil  and  pernicious 
example  of  all  others  in  like  case  offending,  and 
against  the  peace,  government,  and  dignity  of  the 
state." 

The  third  charge  was  of  the  same  tenor  of  the 
first  and  second,  and  need  not  be  repeated.  The 
whole  was  signed  by  the  district  attorney  of  the 
Fifth  Judicial  District,  and  attested  by  the  clerk. 

On  this  indictment  Mr.  Gruber  was  tried  in  the 
Frederic  county  court,  March  term,  1819,  the  case 
having  been  removed  from  Washington  county  at 
the  request  of  the  defendant's  counsel. 

The  Hon.  J.  Buchanan,  Chief  Judge,  and  the  Hon. 

A.  Shriver  and  the  Hon.  T.  Buchanan,  Associate 

Judges,  composed  the  court. 

10 


146 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


OPENING  AEGUMENT  FOR  THE  PROSECUTION. 

In  opening  the  case,  the  District  Attorney,  in 
addressing  the  jury,  observed  that  it  was  well 
known  that  slaves  were  property  according  to  the 
laws  of  the  state  of  Maryland,  and  that  masters  were 
entitled  to  the  full  protection  of  said  property; 
that  any  attempt  to  incite  slaves  to  insubordination 
and  resistance  to  the  lawful  commands  of  their 
masters  ought  to  be  punished.  He  suggested,  how- 
ever, that,  in  the  prosecution  of  the  inquiry  on  that 
occasion,  the  jury  must  not  forget  that  liberty  of 
opinion  and  speech  was  the  privilege  of  every 
citizen,  and  if  it  should  appear  that  Mr.  Gruber  had 
no  criminal  intent  in  his  sermon,  then  he  was  to  be 
regarded  as  having  committed  no  offense  against  the 
law.  It  was  the  duty  and  province  of  the  jury  to 
judge  of  the  intent  from  the  facts  which  should  be 
elicited  in  the  testimony,  and  upon  which  alone  their 
verdict  was  to  be  rendered. 

TESTIMONY  FOR  THE  PROSECUTION. 

The  first  witness  called  on  the  part  of  the  prosecu- 
tion was  Dr.  Fkedkrick  Dorset,  who,  upon  being 
sworn,  was  examined  by  the  attorney  general 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK. 


147 


Question.  Did  you  hear  Mr.  Gruber's  sermon  at 
the  camp-meeting  in  Washington  county  ?  If  so, 
please  state  to  the  jury  what  Mr.  Gruber  said,  to  the 
best  of  your  memory. 

Answer.  I  was  at  the  camp-meeting,  and  heard 
the  sermon.  Mr.  Gruber  spoke  on  many  subjects. 
He  spoke  of  the  tyranny  of  masters,  and  gave  a 
dialogue  of  what  was  to  pass  in  hell  between  masters 
and  slaves  upon  hot  gridirons.  He  drew  a  com- 
parison between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland,  and 
remarked  that  the  people  in  Pennsylvania  were  sur- 
prised to  see  in  the  Maryland  newspapers  advertise- 
ments of  negroes  for  sale,  with  stock  and  lands,  and 
that  they  were  sold  without  fault.  He  also  com- 
mented upon  the  cash  condition  of  the  payment,  the 
price  of  the  soul,  etc.,  etc.  He  said,  in  looking 
further  into  these  advertisements,  he  found  one  run- 
ning thus:  "Two  hundred  dollars  reward;"  another, 
"  Three  hundred  dollars  reward  ;"  and  still  another, 
"  One  hundred  dollars  reward"  for  runaway  negroes, 
A  man  gone  to  see  his  wife,  or  a  wife  gone  to  see 
her  husband,  and  fear  of  punishment  kept  them  from 
home.  He  said  he  would  not  be  surprised  if  the 
slaves  would  poison  their  masters'  children,  and  all 
go  to  damnation  together.    At  this  there  was  a 


148 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


general  response  on  the  camp  ground  of  "  Amen ! 
Amen !"  He  said  it  was  true  that  some  slaves 
had  good  mastera  ;  but  what  security  had  fathers 
that  their  children,  to  whom  they  left  tliem,  would 
use  them  well ;  may  not  the  slaves  they  leave 
as  property  rise  against  the  children,  and  what 
security  have  masters  that  their  children  will  not 
tyrannize  over  the  slaves,  and  the  slaves  poison 
them?  He  said  masters  had  no  right  to  punish, 
because  the  negroes  were  free  and  born  free.  He 
quoted  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  by  wliich 
the  people  in  this  country  had  declared  all  men  to 
be  equal,  and  entitled  to  life,  liberty,  and  the  pursuit 
of  happiness.  He  said  further  that  the  husband 
had  no  right  to  punish  his  wife,  and  on  the  same 
principle  the  master  had  no  riglit  to  punish  his 
slave. 

Dr.  Dorsey  was  then  cross-examined  by  Mr.  Pig- 
man,  one  of  the  attorneys  for  the  defense,  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner : 

Q.  What  part  of  the  discourse  was  addressed  to 
the  negroes  ? 

A.  A  considerable  part  of  it. 

Q.  What  were  the  number  of  white  people  on  the 
ground  ? 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


149 


A.  About  tliree  thousand  whites,  and  from  three 
to  five  hundred  blacks. 

Q.  What  was  the  manner  of  Mr.  Gruber  ? 

A.  He  preached  with  energy  and  zeal. 

Q.  What  was  the  text  of  Mr.  Gruber  ? 

A.  I  do  not  recollect  the  text,  but  he  preached  the 
necessity  of  repentance  to  the  blacks  as  well  as  the 
whites, 

David  G.  Tost,  Esq.,  was  next  called,  and  the 
attorney  general  proposed  the  following  questions: 
Were  you  at  the  camp-meeting  in  Washington 
county  ?  Did  you  hear  Mr.  Gruber's  sermon  ? 
How  many  persons  were  present,  and  what  was  the 
general  scope  of  his  sermon  ? 

Mr.  Yost  stated  in  answer  that  he  was  at  the 
meeting  and  heard  the  sermon.  The  text  was  in 
Proverbs  :  "  Righteousness  exalteth  a  nation  ;  but  sin 
is  a  reproach  to  any  people."  He  said  in  that  part 
of  his  discourse  relating  to  slavery,  that  he  was 
opposed  to  slavery  as  a  man,  and  much  more  so  as  a 
Christian.  He  said  it  was  a  reproach  to  the  people 
of  America  to  boast  of  their  liberty  while  they  held 
thousands  in  bondage  ;  that  there  was  a  great  incon- 
sistency in  holding  the  Declaration  of  Independence 
in  one  hand  and  a  bloody  whip  in  the  other,  and 


150 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


the  blood  streaming  from  a  negro's  back  literally  cnt 
to  pieces.  He  spoke  of  advertisements  in  the  Ma- 
ryland papers,  mixing  negroes  for  sale  with  stock, 
land,  etc.,  and  offering  a  reward  for  men  who, 
perhaps  from  inhuman  treatment,  had  gone  to  see 
their  wives  and  children.  He  then  addressed  the 
blacks,  and  exhorted  them  to  emancipate  themselves 
from  the  service  of  the  devil,  and  warned  them 
if  they  and  their  masters  lived  and  died  in  sin  they 
would  all  go  to  hell  together.  Then  he  addressed 
the  whites,  and  said  :  "  You  say  you  use  them  well ; 
granted,  but  how  do  you  know  your  children,  to 
whom  you  leave  them,  will  use  them  well?  They 
may  tyrannize  over  them,  and  the  slaves  may  rise 
up  and  poison  or  cut  the  throats  of  your  children." 
In  his  address  to  the  negroes  he  particularly  ex- 
horted them  to  get  religion  and  seek  the  pardon  of 
God  for  their  sins,  and  be  happy. 

Dr.  Hammond,  as  a  witness  for  the  state,  was  next 
called  and  examined  by  the  attorney  general. 

Question.  Did  you  hear  the  sermon  in  question  de- 
livered by  Mr.  Gruber? 

Answer.  I  did  hear  it.  He  spoke  in  part  of  it  of 
advertisements  in  the  Maryland  newspapers  in  which 
men  were  offered  for  sale  with  the  cattle.  Negroes 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


151 


were  offered  for  sale  without  any  fault.  None  need 
apply  without  cash.  He  said  the  cruelty  of  some 
masters  was  such  that  he  should  not  be  surprised  if 
the  slaves  would  enter  their  bed-rooms  in  the  dead 
of  night  and  poison  them  or  cut  their  throats.  He 
seemed  to  speak  in  a  great  passion.  A  person  could 
hear  him  half  a  mile  distinctly.  He  said  negroes 
were  sometimes  whipped  for  trifling  faults ;  that  they 
could  not  serve  God  and  man.  The  j)art  of  his  sermon 
addressed  to  the  blacks  occupied  ten  or  fifteen  minutes. 

Cross-examined  by  Mr.  Pigman. 

Question.  Do  you  remember  that  part  of  Scripture 
where  our  Saviour  told  the  Jews  and  others  who  heard 
him,  that  they  could  not  serve  God  and  mammon? 

Answer.  I  do  not  remember  any  such  Scripture. 

Me.  Claggett  was  next  examined  on  the  part  of 
the  state.  He  was  requested  by  the  attorney  general 
to  state  to  the  court  and  jury  what  he  knew  about  the 
business.  He  testified  as  follows :  I  was  at  the  camp- 
meeting  and  heard  the  sermon,  but  do  not  remember 
the  text.  Mr.  Gruber  said  it  was  very  inconsistent 
for  people  in  this  boasted  land  of  liberty  to  hold  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  in  one  hand  and  a  whip 
stained  with  human  blood  in  the  other.  He  said  it 
was  a  common  thing  to  see  human  flesh  offered  for 


152 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKT7BER. 


sale  in  Maryland  with  cattle  and  other  stock.  Horrid 
it  was,  he  said,  to  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  to  hear 
of  these  things.  He  said  he  would  not  be  surprised 
if  these  negroes  poisoned  or  cut  the  throats  of  the 
children  of  their  mastere,  and  all  go  to  destruction 
together.  I  think  there  were  about  four  or  five  thou- 
sand persons  present,  and  out  of  that  number  about 
four  or  five  hundred  blacks.  I  did  not  hear  the  ad- 
dress to  the  blacks,  as  I  left  the  ground  before  that 
part  of  the  sermon  commenced. 

Daniel  Schnebly  was  next  examined  on  the  part 
of  the  state,  and  made  the  following  statement :  I  do 
not  remember  the  text,  but  think  it  was  in  Proverbs. 
I  got  displeased  with  him  early  in  his  sermon  and  left 
the  ground,  but  returned  again  and  heard  him.  In 
addressing  the  whites  he  said  he  should  not  be  sur- 
prised if  the  negroes  rose  in  the  night  and  killed  their 
masters,  and  entered  their  bedrooms  and  poisoned 
their  children.  There  were  from  five  to  six  thousand 
people  present,  and  out  of  them  from  three  to  five 
hundred  negroes. 

De.  Finley  was  then  called,  and  testified  as  follows : 
I  heard  Mr.  Gruber  preach  the  sermon  for  which  he 
stands  accused.  The  general  scope  of  his  discourse 
was  to  entreat  the  congregation  to  obtain  religion. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


153 


He  preached  with  zeal  and  vehemence,  but  not  more 
so  on  that  occasion  than  usual.  I  have  heard  Mr. 
•  Gruber  often,  and  he  delivered  his  sermon  on  that 
occasion  in  his  usual  manner.  When  speaking  on 
slavery  as  a  national  sin,  he  said,  besides  the  immor- 
ality of  slavery  itself,  many  masters  treated  their 
slaves  with  great  cruelty,  denying  them  the  comforts 
of  life,  and  many  engaged  in  the  slave-trade  would 
for  a  tempting  price  tear  asunder  the  tender  ties  of 
husband  and  wife,  parents  and  children.  Under  these 
cruelties  he  said  the  slaves  might  be  faithful  to  one 
generation,  but  they  might  not  be  so  to  the  descend- 
ants of  the  present  generation  ;  that  it  would  not  be 
surprising  if  the  cliildren  to  whom  they  were  left, 
treating  them  with  cruelty,  should  cause  rebellion, 
and  end  in  mutual  strife  ;  the  negroes  sliould  cut  their 
throats,  or  kill  them,  be  hung  for  it,  and  all  go  to  de- 
struction together.  He  said  some  slaves  were  treated 
as  if  they  had  no  souls.  Though  they  were  black,  he 
said  they  still  had  human  feelings,  and  many  of  them 
possessed  keen  sensibility.  He  said  those  wlio  tyran- 
nized over  the  negroes  might  be  in  hell,  while  the 
negro  thus  used,  if  faithful,  might  be  in  happiness. 
He  said  it  was  degrading  to  humanity  to  see  human 
souls  mixed  with  horses,  cows,  and  stock,  and  offered 


154 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


at  public  sale  to  the  "  highest  bidder ;"  that  it  was 
inconsistent  with  the  republican  principles  of  this 
nation  to  hold  the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  one 
hand,  while  the  bloody  scourge  was  brandished  over 
the  trembling  slave  with  the  other. 

Me.  Ingram  was  next  called,  and  gave  the  following 
testimony :  I  remember  that  Mr.  Gruber  said  he 
should  not  be  surprised  if  the  slaves  of  some  masters 
entered  their  bedrooms  and  cut  their  masters'  throats. 
I  did  not  pay  much  attention  to  the  sermon,  and  don't 
recollect  the  text. 

Mk.  Hogmire  testified  as  follows:  Mr.  Gruber, 
when  speaking  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  observed 
that  the  Pennsylvanians  thought  it  monstrous  to 
see  Maryland  newspapei-s  filled  with  advertisements 
oflfering  for  sale  negroes  with  cattle  and  other 
goods.  Ho  said  he  would  not  be  surprised  if  they 
were  to  cut  their  masters'  throats  and  poison  their 
children. 

Mk.  Rench  was  next  called,  and  testified  as  fol- 
lows :  I  do  not  remember  the  text.  I  got  so  mad 
with  Mr.  Gruber  for  his  severity  on  other  sects  of 
Christians  that  I  do  not  remember  much  about  the 
sermon. 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Rench's  testimony,  the 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


155 


attorney  general  gave  notice  to  the  defendant's  coun- 
sel that  the  proof  on  the  part  of  the  state  was  closed. 

Roger  B.  Taney  having,  as  above  stated,  been 
employed  as  counsel  in  the  case  delivered  the  open- 
ing address  to  the  jury. 

ROGER  B.  TANEY'S  OPENING  ADDRESS. 

He  remarked  that  the  statement  made  by  the  dis- 
trict attorney  had  informed  the  jury  of  the  interesting 
principles  involved  in  the  trial  then  pending  before 
them.  It  was,  indeed,  an  important  case,  in  which 
the  community,  as  well  as  the  accused,  had  a  deep 
interest.  The  prosecution  is  without  precedent  in 
the  judicial  proceedings  of  Maryland  ;  as  the  jury  are 
judges  of  the  law  as  well  as  the  fact,  it  becomes  my 
duty  not  only  to  state  the  evidence  we  are  about  to 
offer,  but  to  show  you  the  grounds  on  which  we 
mean  to  rest  the  defense. 

I  need  not  tell  you,  that  by  the  liberal  and  happy 
institutions  of  this  state  the  rights  of  conscience  and 
the  freedom  of  speech  are  fully  protected.  No  man 
can  be  prosecuted  for  preaching  the  articles  of  his 
religious  creed,  unless,  indeed,  his  doctrine  is  im- 
moral, and  calculated  to  disturb  the  peace  and  order 
of  society ;  and  subjects  of  national  policy  may 


156 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


at  all  times  be  freely  and  full}'-  discussed  in  the 
pulpit  or  elsewhere  without  limitation  or  restraint. 
Therefore  the  reverend  gentleman,  whose  cause  I  am 
now  advocating,  cannot  be  liable  to  prosecution  in 
any  form  of  proceeding  for  the  sermon  mentioned 
by  the  district  attorney,  unless  his  doctrines  were 
immoral,  and  calculated  to  disturb  the  peace  and 
order  of  society.  The  sermon,  in  itself,  could  in  no 
other  way  be  an  offense  against  the  laws.  If  his 
doctrines  were  not  immoral,  if  the  principles  he 
maintained  were  not  contrary  to  the  peace  and  good 
order  of  society,  he  had  an  undoubted  right  to  preach 
them,  and  to  clothe  them  in  such  language,  and  to 
enforce  them  by  such  facts  and  arguments  as  to  him 
seemed  proper.  It  would  be  nothing  to  the  purpose 
to  say  that  he  offended,  or  that  he  alarmed  some, 
or  all  of  his  hearers.  Their  feelings,  or  their  fears, 
would  not  alter  the  character  of  his  doctrine,  or  take 
from  him  a  right  secured  to  him  by  the  constitution 
and  laws  of  the  state. 

But  in  this  case  he  is  not  accused  of  preaching 
immoral  or  dangerous  doctrine.  It  is  not  the  charge 
contained  in  the  indictment.  The  preaching  of  such 
a  sermon  is  not  laid  as  the  offense.  He  is  accusetl 
of  an  attempt  to  excite  insubordination  and  insur- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


157 


rection  among  our  slaves ;  and  the  intention  of  the 
preacher  is  the  essence  of  the  crime.  On  this  in- 
dictment, no  matter  what  doctrines  he  preached, 
no  matter  what  language  he  used,  yet  his  doctrines 
or  his  language  could  not  amount  to  the  crime  now 
charged  against  him.  They  woiild  be  evidence,  I 
admit,  to  show  his  intention ;  but  they  would  be 
nothing  more  than  evidence,  and  could  not  constitute 
the  offense  itself. 

Mr.  Taney  then  read  and  explained  to  the  jury 
the  different  counts  contained-  in  the  indictment. 
You  will  perceive,  he  continued,  by  the  explanation 
I  have  given  you,  that  the  intent  of  the  accused  is 
the  great  object  of  your  inquiry.  The  charge  is  a 
grave  and  serious  one.  It  is  necessary,  in  order  to 
support  the  prosecution,  that  the  wicked  intention 
charged  in  the  indictment  should  be  made  out  by 
proof.  The  guilty  design  is  the  crime  imputed  to 
him.  You  must  be  satisfied,  before  you  can  say  he 
is  gtiilty,  that  such  was  his  intent,  such  the  object 
he  wished  to  accomplish,  and  that  such  were  the 
purposes  for  which  his  sermon  was  preached.  For 
it  is  \ipon  this  sermon  alone  that  this  prosecution  is 
founded. 

It  is  true  that  the  words  used  by  him  are  evi- 


158 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


dence  of  his  intentions.  But  they  are  not  conclusive 
evidence ;  nor  are  they  the  only  evidence  from  which 
the  intent  is  to  be  gathered.  His  language  is  a  cir- 
cumstance from  which  you  may  infer  his  design.  It 
is  nothing  more.  And  there  are  a  variety  of  other 
circumstances  equally  entitled  to  weight,  and  equally 
proper  for  the  consideration  of  the  jury.  For  when 
it  is  alleged,  on  the  part  of  the  prosecution,  that  a 
clergyman  of  a  Christian  society,  while  professing  to 
be  engaged  in  the  high  and  solemn  duties  of  religion, 
was  in  truth  seeking  to  produce  insubordination  and 
insurrection  among  the  slaves,  and  a  detached  part 
of  his  sermon  is  relied  upon  as  the  proof  of  his  guilt, 

• 

the  party  accused  has  a  right  to  refer  you,  in  proof 
of  his  innocence,  to  the  general  scope  and  object  of 
his  sermon,  to  the  other  topics  introduced  and  dis- 
cussed, to  the  occasion  on  which  it  was  preached, 
to  the  character  of  the  congregation  to  whom  it  was 
addressed,  to  the  opinions  knovvn  to  be  held  by  the 
society  to  which  he  belongs,  and,  above  all,  to  the 
history  of  his  own  life,  which  in  this  instance  would, 
of  itself,  be  abundantly  sufficient  to  repel  such  a 
charge,  bottomed  on  such  evidence.  Upon  all  of 
these  circumstances  Mr,  Gruber  relies  for  his 
defense,  and  I  now  proceed  more  particularly  to 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


159 


state  them,  as  you  will  Ly  and  by  hear  them  in 
proof. 

You  have  already  been  told  that  Mr.  Gruber  is  a 
minister  of'the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  And 
it  is  not  necessary  to  tell  you  that  the  religious  soci- 
ety to  which  he  belongs  is  nearly  as  numerous  as 
any  other  society  of  Christians  in  this  state,  and  the 
equal  of  any  other  in  the  general  order  and  decorum 
of  their  behavior,  in  their  moral  deportment,  and  in 
their  habits  of  obedience  to  the  laws.  It  was  at  a 
very  early  period  of  his  life  that  Mr.  Gruber  became 
a  member  of  thjs  society,  and  took  upon  himself  the 
duties  of  a  minister  of  the  Gospel.  In  this  vocation 
he  has  faithfully  labored  for  more  than  twenty  years, 
and  he  now  fills  a  post  of  high  rank,  and  great  confi- 
dence in  his  Church,  the  reward  of  his  fervent  piety 
and  unwearied  zeal.  We  shall  also  prove  to  you  by 
a  most  respectable  witness,  a  minister  of  the  same 
Church,  whose  duty  it  has  often  been,  according  to 
the  Discipline  of  that  society,  to  examine  into  the 
conduct  and  character  of  the  accused,  that  during  the 
whole  course  of  his  ministry,  the  reverend  gentle- 
man, who  is  now  on  his  trial,  has  sustained  a  charac- 
ter of  spotless  integrity. 

It  is  well  known  that  the  gradual  and  peaceful 


160 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


abolition  of  slavery  in  tliese  states  is  one  of  the  ob- 
jects which  the  Methodist  society  have  steadily  in 
view.  No  slaveholder  is  allowed  to  be  a  minister  in 
that  Church.  Their  preachers  are  accustomed,  in 
their  sermons,  to  speak  of  the  injustice  and  oppres- 
sions of  slavery.  The  opinion  of  Mr.  Gruber  on  this 
subject  nobody  could  doubt.  And  if  any  slavehold- 
er believed  it  dangerous  to  himself,  his  family,  or 
the  community,  to  suffer  his  slaves  to  learn  that  all 
slavery  is  unjust  and  oppressive,  and  persuade  him- 
self that  they  would  not  of  themselves  be  able  to 
make  the  discovery,  it  was  in  his  power  to  prevent 
them  from  attending  the  assemblies  where  such 
doctrines  were  likely  to  be  preached.  Mr.  Gruber 
did  not  go  to  the  slaves ;  they  came  to  him.  They 
could  not  have  come  if  their  mastere  had  chosen  to 
prevent  them. 

In  August,  1818,  a  camp-meeting  of  the  Method- 
ist society  was  held  in  Washington  county.  At 
this  meeting  it  was  the  duty  of  Mr.  Gruber  to  at- 
tend. He  did  attend,  and  from  his  oflBcial  station  in 
the  society,  the  general  superintendence  and  direc- 
tion of  the  meeting  was  in  his  hands.  On  one  of  the 
days  of  the  meeting,'  when  the  usual  hour  of  evening 
preaching  had  arrived,  the  gentleman  who  had  been 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


161 


depended  upon  to  fulfill  that  duty  was  prevented  by 
indisposition.  It  was  the  duty  of  Mr.  Gruber  to 
provide  for  this  unexpected  emergency.  He  applied 
to  several  of  his  brethren,  and  requested  them  to  ad- 
dress the  congregation.  But  it  so  happened,  that 
from  different  causes,  not  now  material  to  be  stated, 
he  was  unsuccessful  in  all  his  applications ;  and  as 
nobody  else  could  be  found  to  supply  the  place  of 
the  sick  brother,  Mr.  Gruber  was  compelled  to  do  it 
himself.  He  undertook  the  task  without  preparation, 
without  time  for  reflection,  and  upon  the  sudden  and 
unexpected  call  of  the  moment.  I  state  these  facts 
so  much  in  detail,  because  this  sermon  is  the  sole 
foundation  of  the  charge  against  him.  The  language 
used  on  that  occasion  is  tlie  only  fact  relied  upon  to 
prove  him  guilty  of  the  wicked  intention  of  raising 
an  insurrection  among  the  slaves,  and  converting  this 
peaceful  and  flourishing  state  into  a  horrible  scene 
of  rapine  and  murder. 

At  the  time  this  sermon  was  preached  there  were 
present  about  three  thousand  persons,  of  whom  only 
about  four  hundred  were  people  of  color,  as  they  are 
now  generally  called.  These  were  separated  from 
the  whites,  according  to  the  custom  on  such  occasions, 

and  placed  together  behind  the  stand  from  which 

11 


162 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


the  preacher  addressed  the  congregation.  Many  of 
the  most  respectable  gentlemen  of  Washington  coun- 
ty, and  many  of  the  principal  slaveholders  were 
there  when  the  sermon  in  question  was  delivered. 
Yet  it  is  at  this  meeting,  thus  constituted,  that  he  is 
accused  of  conspiring  against  the  peace  of  this  state. 
It  is  in  his  public  address  to  this  assembly  that  he  is 
said  to  have  developed  his  profligate  designs.  If  he 
did  mean  to  stir  up  the  slaves  to  insurrection,  it 
must  at  least  be  admitted  that  he  at  the  same  time 
put  the  masters  on  their  guard. 

The  address  of  Mr.  Gruber  occupied  rather  more 
than  one  hour.  His  subject  was  national  sin ;  and 
after  enumerating  and  rebuking  some  offenses  which 
he  supposed  the  people  of  this  country  to  be  but  too 
prone  to  commit,  he,  in  the  conclusion  of  his  dis- 
course, spoke  about  fifteen  minutes,  and  no  more,  on 
slavery  and  the  treatment  of  slaves.  It  is  not  al- 
leged that  he  said  anything  in  the  preceding  part 
of  his  sermon  calculated,  in  any  degree,  to  support 
the  prosecution.  During  all  that  time  he  made  no 
allusion  to  the  condition  of  master  or  slave.  And  in 
the  latter  part  of  his  discourse,  when  he  did  speak  of 
them,  and  used  the  language  on  whicli  this  prosecu- 
tion is  founded,  he  addressed  himself  particularly  to 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  G  RUBER. 


163 


the  masters.  His  appeal  to  his  liearers  on  this  sub- 
ject was  directed  exclusively  to  the  whites.  The 
impression  was  intended  to  be  made  on  them.  And 
when  the  language  used  by  him  shall  be  detailed  to 
you  by  the  witnesses,  you  will  find  that  he  could  not 
have  designed,  in  that  part  of  his  discourse,  to  influ- 
ence the  conduct  of  the  slaves,  but  was  obviously 
and  clearly  seeking  to  reform  the  hearts  of*  the 
masters. 

There  may,  and  probably  will  be  a  difi"erence 
among  the  witnesses  as  to  the  words  used  on  this 
occasion  by  the  reverend  preacher.  There  will 
always  be  this  difference  v/here  there  are  many 
hearers.  For  some  will  be  negligent,  while  othera 
are  attentive  ;  some  hear  only  detached  parts,  others 
hear  the  whole  ;  some  are  roused  to  attention  only 
when  the  angry  passions  are  inflamed  by  an  expected 
attack  on  some  favorite  opinion,  and  others  listen 
to  the  whole  discourse,  in  the  spirit  of  soberness  and 
humility,  for  the  purjjose  of  receiving  and  profiting 
by  the  instruction.  And  in  this  case  a  difference  is 
more  especially  to  be  looked  for  because  the  sermon 
produced  a  good  deal  of  excitement,  and  much  warm 
conversation  among  different  persons  even  on  the 
ground ;  so  that  the  remarks  of  irritated  individuals 


164 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


become  intimatel}'  blended  in  the  mind  with  the 
language  of  the  preacher,  and  make  it  difficult, 
after  the  lapse  of  some  months,  for  those  who  list- 
ened carelessly  to  separate  the  one  from  the  other. 
But  we  shall  be  able  to  fix,  beyond  doubt,  the  lan- 
guage actually  used  by  him ;  for  we  shall  produce  a 
most  respectable  witness  who  listened  attentively  to 
the  whole  discourse,  who  was  near  the  preacher  during 
the  whole  time,  and  who,  on  the  day  afterward,  while 
it  was  yet  fresh  in  his  mind,  wrote  down  the  heads 
of  the  discourse,  and  wrote  out  in  full  what  may  be 
termed  the  offensive  part  of  it,  Ilis  statement,  too, 
will  be  corroborated  by  the  testimony  of  a  multitude 
of  other  witnesses  concurring  with  him  in  all  the 
material  parts.  We  shall  therefore  confidently  rely 
on  it  as  containing  truly  and  accurately  the  words 
delivered.  And  from  such  a  sermon  as  the  witness 
will  detail,  preached  by  such  a  man,  on  such  an  occa- 
sion, and  under  sucli  circumstances,  without  any 
other  act  of  his  life  to  aid  the  prosecution,  I  must  be 
allowed  to  say  that  no  intelligent  mind,  free  from 
the  influence  of  passion  and  prejudice,  can  infer  the 
guilty  design  charged  in  this  indictment. 

The  learned  district  attorney  has  said  that  the  lan- 
guage of  Mr.  Gruber  was  injudicious  ;  that  it  was  not 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  G  RUBER. 


1G5 


calculated  to  do  good ;  that  it  would  necessarily  irri- 
tate  and  offend  the  masters,  and  make  the  slaves  more 
dissatisfied  with  their  unhappy  condition.  And  it 
may,  in  the  progress  of  this  trial,  be  argued,  on  the 
part  of  the  prosecution,  that  his  principles  on  the 
subject  of  slavery  were  wrong ;  that  the  assertion  of 
his  opinions  to  a  congregation  mixed  like  the  one  to 
which  he  was  speaking,  was  impolitic  and  dangerous, 
and  likely  to  produce  insubordination  and  disturb- 
ance among  the  slaves.  Now,  if  all  this  could  be 
truly  said  of  this  memorable  sermon  ;  if  the  reverend 
preacher  merited  all  these  reproaches,  yet,  if  you 
should  believe  that  his  motives  were  pure,  if  you 
think  him  innocent  of  any  design  to  produce  this 
mischief,  he  would  still  be  entitled  to  a  verdict  of 
acquittal ;  for  he  is  not  now  on  trial  for  preaching- 
doctrines  calculated  to  disturb  the  peace  and  order 
of  society.  That  is  not  the  offense  charged  in  this 
indictment ;  and  you  are  well  aware  that  a  man 
indicted  for  one  offense  cannot  on  his  trial  on  that 
indictment  be  convicted  of  another  and  a  different 
offense.  And  if  the  learned  attorney  for  the  state 
shall  be  able  to  satisfy  you  that  the  opinions  of  Mr. 
Gruber  on  slavery,  and  the  treatment  of  slaves,  are 
unsound  ;  that  his  arguments  were  injudicious  and 


166 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


impolitic ;  that  his  language  was  inflammatory  and 
calculated  to  produce  evil ;  still  he  will  not  have 
advanced  one  step  toward  the  accomplishment  of  his 
object,  until  he  can  prove  to  you  that  these  opinions 
were  uttered,  these  arguments  were  used,  and  this 
language  employed,  with  the  criminal  intention  and 
for  the  wicked  purpose  laid  in  this  indictment.  I 
might,  therefore,  safely  rest  the  defense  on  this 
ground,  and  yield  to  the  attorney  for  the  state  all  the 
advantage  he  can  derive  from  placing  my  client,  in 
this  respect,  in  the  wrong ;  for  the  circumstances  I 
have  before  stated  will,  in  my  humble  judgment,  put 
the  integrity  of  his  motives  beyond  all  question. 
And  whatever  may  be  thought  or  said  of  the  intem- 
perance of  his  zeal,  nobody  who  listens  to  the  proof 
will  be  able  to  doubt  the  sincerity  of  his  heart. 

But  tlie  reverend  gentleman  merits  a  defense  on 
very  different  principles.  The  counsel  to  whom  he 
has  confided  his  cause  cannot  content  themselves 
with  a  cold  and  reluctant  acquittal,  and  abandon  Mr. 
Gruber,  without  defense,  to  all  the  obloquy  and 
reproach  which  his  enemies  have  industriously  and 
most  unjustly  heaped  upon  him.  We  cannot  consent 
to  buy  his  safety  by  yielding  to  passion,  prejudice, 
and  avarice,  the  control  of  future  discussions  on  this 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


167 


great  and  important  question.  He  must  not  sur- 
render up  tlie  civil  and  religious  rights  secured  to 
him,  in  common  with  others,  by  the  constitution  of 
this  most  favored  nation.  Mr.  Gruber  feels  that  it 
is  due  to  his  own  character,  to  the  station  he  fills,  to 
the  respectable  society  of  Christians  in  which  he  is  a 
minister  of  tlie  Gospel,  not  only  to  defend  himself 
from  this  prosecution,  but  also  to  avow,  and  to  vindi- 
cate here,  the  principles  he  maintained  in  his  sermon. 
There  is  no  law  that  forbids  us  to  speak  of  slavery 
as  we  think  of  it.  Any  man  has  a  right  to  publish 
his  opinions  on  that  subject  whenever  he  pleases.  It 
is  a  subject  of  national  concern,  and  may  at  all  times 
be  freely  discussed.  Mr.  Gruber  did  quote  the  lan- 
guage of  our  great  act  of  national  independence,  and 
insisted  on  the  principles  contained  in  that  venerated 
instrument.  He  did  rebuke  tliose  masters  who,  in 
the  exercise  of  power,  are  deaf  to  tlie  calls  of  human- 
ity ;  and  he  warned  them  of  the  evils  they  might 
bring  upon  themselves.  He  did  speak  with  abhor- 
rence of  those  reptiles  who  live  by  trading  in  human 
flesh,  and  enrich  themselves  by  tearing  the  husband 
from  the  wife,  the  infant  from  the  bosom  of  the 
mother  ;  and  this,  I  am  instructed,  was  the  head  and 
front  of  his  offending.    Shall  I  content  myself  with 


168 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKTTBEK. 


saying  he  had  a  right  to  say  this  ?  that  there  is  no 
law  to  punish  him  ?  So  far  is  he  from  being  the 
object  of  punishment  in  any  form  of  proceeding,  that 
Ave  are  prepared  to  maintain  the  same  principles,  and 
to  use,  if  necessary,  the  same  language  here  in  the 
temple  of  justice,  and  in  the  presence  of  those  who 
are  the  ministers  of  the  law. 

A  hard'necessity,  indeed,  compels  us  to  endure  the 
evil  of  slavery  for  a  time.  It  was  imposed  upon  us 
by  another  nation,  while  we  were  yet  in  a  state  of 
colonial  vassalage.  It  cannot  be  easily  or  suddenly 
removed.  Yet,  while  it  continues,  it  is  a  blot  on  our 
national  character,  and  every  real  lover  of  freedom 
confidently  hopes  that  it  will  be  effectually,  though 
it  must  be  gradually,  wiped  away ;  and  earnestly  looks 
for  the  means  by  w^hich  this  necessary  object  may  be 
best  attained.  And  until  it  shall  be  accomplished, 
until  the  time  shall  come  when  we  can  point  without 
a  blush  to  the  language  held  in  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, every  friend  of  humanity  will  seek  to 
lighten  the  galling  chain  of  slavery,  and  better,  to  the 
utmost  of  his  power,  the  wretched  condition  of  the 
slave. 

Such  was  Mr.  Gruber's  object  in  that  part  of  his 
sermon  of  which  I  am  now  speaking.    Those  who 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


169 


have  complained  of  him  and  reproached  him  will  not 
find  it  easy  to  answer  him,  unless  complaints,  re- 
proaches, and  persecution  shall  be  considered  an 
answer. 

I  have  now  done  with  stating  the  testimony  we  are 
about  to  ofi'er,  and  marking  out  the  grounds  on  which 
our  defense  will  be  taken.  But  there  is  one  other 
topic  on  which  it  may  be  proper  to  remark  before  I 
conclude  the  opening  of  the  case. 

The  sermon  in  question  was  preached  in  Washing- 
ton county,  and  this  indictment  was  found  by  the 
grand  jury  for  that  county.  The  cause  has  been  re- 
moved to  Frederic,  upon  the  application  of  the  ac- 
cused. This  circumstance  sometimes  creates  suspicions 
unfavorable  to  the  character  and  standing  of  the  party 
who  applies  for  the  removal.  If  he  has  been  long  an 
inhabitant  of  the  county  in  which  he  is  indicted,  there 
may  be  some  ground  for  these  suspicions ;  but  even 
then  they  cannot  be  allowed,  in  the  least  degree,  to 
affect  the  verdict.  In  this  case,  however,  Mr.  Gruber 
was  as  much  a  stranger  in  Washington  as  he  is  in 
Frederic.  He  never  resided  in  that  county,  and 
therefore  has  not  shunned  the  decision  of  the  men 
who  knew  him.  He  has  removed  his  cause  from  one 
body  of  strangers,  to  be  decided,  indeed,  by  another 


170 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


body  of  men  who  are  equally  unacquainted  with  him. 
His  motive  for  doing  so  I  will  briefly  explain  to  you. 

Mr.  Gruber,  as  I  have  already  told  you,  was  a 
stranger  in  Washington,  and  consequently  incapable 
of  deciding  how  far  a  fair  and  impartial  trial  could  be 
there  expected.  He,  of  course,  submitted  himself  on 
this  point  to  the  decision  of  his  counsel,  and  formed 
his  own  opinion  upon  the  advice  and  information  de- 
rived from  them.  I  am  by  no  means  prepared  to  say 
that  if  he  had  gone  to  trial  in  Washington  his  cause 
would  not  have  been  patiently  heard,  and  impartially 
decided,  by  a  jury  of  that  county.  But  it  was  well 
known  that  great  pains  had  been  taken  to  inflame  the 
public  mind  against  him.  The  grand  jury  of  that 
county  had  found  this  indictment  to  be  true ;  and  on 
that  jury  were  men  of  high  standing  and  great  influ- 
ence in  the  county.  Many  of  the  members  of  that 
body  I  know  personally,  and  respect  highly.  They 
are  incapable,  I  am  sure,  of  willfully  doing  wrong. 
Yet  they  are,  like  the  rest  of  us,  but  men !  frail  men ! 
and  liable  to  be  influenced  by  the  impulse  of  passion 
or  prejudice  without  being  aware  of  it.  Knowing,  as 
I  did,  all  the  circumstances  of  this  case,  and  being 
firmly  convinced  that  there  was  no  just  cause  for  in- 
stituting this  prosecution,  the  finding  of  this  indict- 


LIFE  OP  JACOB  GKUBER.  ITI 

ment,  by  a  body  of  men  so  respectable  as  the  grand 
jury,  was  of  itself  sufficient  evidence  to  my  mind  that 
the  liberty  and  reputation  of  Mr.  Gruber  ought  not 
to  be  hazarded  on  a  trial  there.  I  so  advised  him, 
in  the  strongest  terms ;  and  if  blame  is  to  rest  upon 
any  one  for  the  removal  of  tlie  cause,  I  acknowledge 
that  to  me,  and  not  to  Mr.  Gruber,  it  ought  to  be  im- 
puted. Yet  I  cannot  think  that  the  exercise  of  a  con- 
stitutional right  can  be  matter  of  censure  against  the 
client  or  his  counsel ;  nor  can  it  be  a  reproach  to  any 
one  that  he  is  willing  to  abide  the  verdict  of  a  jury 
of  Frederic  county. 

TESTIMONY  FOR  THE  DEFENSE. 

After  the  opening  address  of  Mr.  Taney  was  con- 
cluded, Mr.  Pigmau,  one  of  the  defendant's  counsel, 
proceeded  to  call  witnesses  in  his  behalf.  Rev.  N. 
Snethen  was  first  called,  and  testified  as  follows : 
Mr.  Gruber,  in  his  introductory  prayer,  devoutly 
prayed  for  the  safety,  conversion,  and  happiness  of 
the  whole  assembly.  When  upon  the  point  of  slavery, 
he  gave  the  good  and  bad  masters  their  meat  in  due 
season  ;  kept  up  the  distinction  between  good  and 
bad  masters.  He  admitted,  in  his  argument,  that 
many  masters  used  their  slaves  well ;  but  then,  he  said. 


172 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


what  security  have  they  that  their  children  will  use 
them  well  ?  It  is  possible  that  their  children  may  be 
tyrants ;  the  slaves  may  rise  and  kill  their  children. 
When  he  spoke  of  killing,  it  exclusively  related  to  the 
next  generation.  He  endeavored,  in  his  argument, 
to  convince  the  good  master  that  slaves  were  danger- 
ous property  to  leave  to  children  ;  that  tyranny  in  the 
children  might  produce  rebellion  in  the  slaves,  and 
mutual  destruction  might  ensue.  Mr.  Gruber  preached 
that  day  by  accident.  lie  did  not  appoint  the  meet- 
ing ;  and  before  he  began  he  labored  very  much  with 
one  of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  to  preach  in  his 
place.  lie  possesses  a  good  general  character ;  is 
very  zealous  and  devout  in  the  ministry.  He  is  next 
in  office  to  the  bishop,  and  of  an  unimpeachable  moral 
character.  In  his  address,  in  conclusion,  to  the  blacks, 
he  enforced  on  them  repentance;  exhorted  them  to 
religion,  to  obedience,  and  patience  in  the  service  of 
their  mastei-s.  He  told  them  without  religion  they 
were  slaves  to  their  own  lusts,  slaves  to  their  masters, 
and  if  they  died  in  their  sins  they  would  be  damned 
forever.  When  he  adverted  to  the  Declaration  of  In- 
dependence, he  spoke  of  it  as  a  national  thing,  and 
not  to  slaveholders  particularly,  and  said  it  had  been 
justly  thrown  upon  this  nation  as  a  reproach,  to  hold 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


173 


the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  one  hand,  and 
tlie  bloody  whip  in  the  other. 

Court.  How  did  you  like  the  sermon  ? 

A.  From  prudent  considerations  I  would  not  have 
preached  in  the  same  way,  because  from  his  very 
frank  manner  persons  might  misrepresent  him.  My 
taste  also  differed  from  his,  and  should  have  advised 
a  different  manner  and  composition ;  but  nothing 
escaped  him  that  could  induce  me  to  believe  for  a 
moment  that  he  had  a  criminal  intent.  When  Mr. 
Gruber  spoke  of  the  danger  of  mutual  destruction 
between  the  children  and  slaves  in  the  next  genera- 
tion he  offered  up  a  prayer  for  them  all :  "  The  Lord 
have  mercy  on  them !"  and  it  was  then  the  general 
response  of  Amen  took  place,  alluded  to  by  Dr. 
Doi-sey. 

E,Ev.  Jeeemiah  Mason  was  next  sworn  by  the 
clerk,  and  examined  on  the  part  of  the  defendant : 
I  was  at  the  camp-meeting  and  heard  the  sermon. 
His  text  was  in  Proverbs :  "  Eighteousness  exalteth  a 
nation,  but  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people."  Right- 
eousness was  the  first  head  pf  the  discourse.  Sin  is  a 
reproach  to  any  people,  was  the  next  head.  He  dwelt 
considerably  on  the  sin  of  infidelity,  and  with  great 
labor  on  the  sin  of  oppression,  under  which  he  con- 


'174  LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 

sidered,  he  said,  the  whole  of  invohmtaiy  negro  slav- 
ery. He  contended  that  involuntary  negro  slavery 
was  a  violation  of  the  moral  and  natural  law,  and  a 
gross  abuse  of  Christianity ;  that  it  was  in  violation  of 
the  sentiments  expressed  by  the  American  sages  in  the 
Declaration  of  Independence ;  that  it  was  reproachful 
to  this  nation  to  hold  that  sacred  instrument  in  one 
hand  and  a  rod  stained  with  blood  in  tbe  other.  He 
spoke  of  the  cruelty  of  advertising  and  selling  human 
beings,  mixed  with  cattle.  He  said  it  was  usual  to 
find  in  the  advertisements  on  this  subject  the  owners 
stating  to  the  public  that  they  (the  negroes)  were 
sold  without  fault.  In  that  part  of  his  address 
directed  to  the  negroes  he  was  very  severe  on  them, 
and  told  them,  unless  they  repented  and  obtained 
conversion,  they  would  be  damned  forever.  He 
recommended  to  them  obedience,  and  entire  and 
patient  resignation  to  their  condition.  I  being  a 
justice  of  tlie  peace,  and  hearing  an  accusation  was 
to  be  stated  against  Mr.  Gruber,  I  made  immediate 
notes,  after  the  delivery  of  the  sermon,  of  its  prin- 
cipal heads.  When  he  spoke  of  the  danger  of  kill 
ing,  he  referred  to  the  posterity  of  the  present  gen 
eration  of  masters.  He  said,  in  the  mutual  strife 
that  might  ensue  between  the  negroes  and  the  chil- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


1Y5 


dren  of  the  present  masters,  there  might  be  mutual 
death,  and  all  be  sent  to  destruction  together.  Then 
he  made  a  pause,  and  said,  "  The  Lord  have  mercy 
on  them!"  Then  the  response  spoken  of  by  Dr. 
Dorsey  took  place  of  Amen  !  Amen ! .  Mr.  Gruber 
then  said : 

"  Is  there  not  some  chosen  curse, 
Some  secret  thunders  in  the  stores  of  heaven, 
Red  with  imcommon  wrath,  to  blast  the  wretch 
That  makes  his  fortune  from  the  blood  of  souls  ;" 

or  words  to  that  effect.  At  this  time  he  was  speak- 
ing of  the  slave-trade. 

Court  Have  you  ever  said  that  you  did  not  ap- 
prove of  the  matter  and  manner  of  the  sermon 
delivered  by  Mr.  Gruber? 

A.  I  have  said,  from  the  temper  of  the  congrega- 
tion, I  was  fearful  the  sermon  might  give  offense  to 
some  persons  present ;  but  I  never  intimated  or 
thought  there  was  anything  criminal  in  it. 

E.EV.  Jonathan  Forrest  was  next  examined :  I 
was  at  the  camp-meeting ;  I  heard  the  sermon.  He 
took  his  text  in  Proverbs :  "  Righteousness  exalteth 
a  nation,  but  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people."  He 
spoke  considerably  on  the  beauty  of  righteousness, 
and  the  horror  of  sin,  in  a  national  point  of  view. 
In  his  prayer  previous  to  preaching  he  offered  a 


176 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


fervent  petition  to  the  throne  of  grace  for  the  happi- 
ness, peace,  conversion,  and  quiet  of  the  whole  con- 
gregation. He  discussed  negro  slavery  as  a  national 
sin,  as  being  contrary  to  the  natural  and  moral  law, 
contrary  to  the  Christian  religion,  and  expressly 
against  that  command  of  God  which  directs  us  to 
do  to  all  men  as  we  would  they  should  do  to  us. 
He  said  slaves  were  dangerous  property  for  fathers 
to  leave  to  their  children.  Children  might  tyrannize 
over  them,  mutual  destruction  might  ensue,  and  all 
go  to  destruction  together.  "When  he  spoke  of  the 
danger  of  killing  it  was  in  reference  to  the  next 
generation  of  men.  In  that  part  of  the  address 
directed  to  the  negroes  he  exhorted  them  with  great 
zeal  to  get  religion,  to  seek  pardon  of  God,  to  obey 
their  masters  and  mistresses,  to  let  their  light  shine 
before  men,  and  perhaps  it  might  be  a  means  of 
their  getting  their  freedom  through  some  kind  turn 
of  providence.  He  told  the  slaves  if  they  lived  and 
died  in  their  sins  they  would  be  damned  forever. 
I  was  near  Mr.  Gruber  the  whole  time  he  was 
preaching.  I  am  confident  he  did  not  in  any  part 
of  his  sermon  say  the  negroes  present  were  free-born. 

H.  G.  O'Neal  was  next  examined :  I  was  at 
the  camp-meeting,  and  heard  the  sermon.    In  his 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER.  1Y7 

first  prayer  he  fervently  prayed,  as  usual,  for  the 
peace,  conversion,  and  happiness  of  the  whole  con- 
gregation. In  the  general  scope  of  his  sermon  he 
preached  repentance  toward  God  and  faith  in  a  Sav- 
iour. He  said  slaves  were  dangerous  property  to 
leave  to  children  ;  that  present  good  masters  had  no 
security  that  their  children  Avould  make  good  mas- 
ters; children  might  become  tyrants,  slaves  might 
rebel,  kill  each  other,  and  all  go  to  destruction  to- 
gether. I  do  not  remember  his  saying  anything 
about  poison.  AVhen  he  spoke  of  killing,  he  referred 
to  the  next  generation  of  men.  He  said  it  was  mon- 
strous to  see  human  souls  put  up  at  auction,  for  sale 
with  cattle  and  stock  ;  that  it  was  horrid  to  a  repub- 
lican and  a  Christian.  In  his  address  to  the  negroes 
he  was  severe  on  them  for  their  own  sins.  I  remem- 
ber he  preached  to  them  the  necessity  of  their  own 
conversion,  exhorted  them  to  be  obedient  and  sub- 
missive to  their  masters,  and  begged  those  who  had 
pious  masters  to  join  them  in  devotion.  I  think 
there  was  about  five  thousand  white  persons  present, 
and  perhaps  from  two  to  three  hundred  blacks. 

Mr.  Long  was  next  examined :  I  was  at  the  camp- 
meeting,  and  heard  th*>  sermon.  I  remember  Mr. 
Gruber  said,  Penns.yl'^anians  thought  it  strange  that 

12 


178 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


humau  beings  were  sold  in  Maryland  at  auction  with 
cattle  and  beasts.  He  said  negroes  were  dangerous 
property  for  fathers  to  leave  to  their  children,  that 
children  might  prove  to  be  tyrants,  negroes  might 
rebel,  mutual  destruction  take  place,  and  all  go  to 
destruction  together. 

Court.  Did  he  tell  the  negroes  they  were  a  de- 
graded people  ? 

A.  No.  He  advised  them  to  be  obedient.  He 
preached  a  mighty  good  sermon.  It  was  the  truth 
from  the  Scriptures. 

Eev,  Lawrence  Eveehaet  was  next  examined  on 
the  part  of  the  defendant :  I  heard  the  sermon.  In 
preaching  from  his  text  he  spoke  of  the  beauty  of 
righteousness  first.  Then  he  spoke  of  various  na- 
tional sins  until  he  came  to  the  sin  of  negro  slavery. 
He  said  the  Americans  had,  in  their  Declaration  of 
Independence,  proclaimed  to  the  world  that  they 
hold  it  self-evident  that  all  men  are  created  equal ; 
that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with  certain 
unalienable  rights ;  that  among  these  are  life,  liber- 
ty, and  the  pureuit  of  happiness ;  tliat  it  was  incon- 
sistent for  this  nation  to  be  holding  this  scroll  of 
liberty  in  one  hand,  and  in  the  other  a  bloody  cow- 
hide ;  that  human  beings  were  often  mixed  with  cat- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


179 


tie,  and  sold  at  public  auction  for  no  fault ;  that  it 
would  be  awful  to  account  for  this  in  the  day  of 
judgment.  He  said,  Admit  some  masters  use  their 
slaves  well,  what  security  have  they,  when  they  leave 
th*  sort  of  property  to  descend  to  their  children,  that 
their  children  will  be  equally  kind?  The  children 
may  become  tyrants,  and  slaves  rise  against  them, 
produce  mutual  resistance  and  mutual  destruction, 
and  all  go  to  hell  together.  The  Lord  have  mercy 
on  them !  Thei'e  was  then  a  general  response  of 
Amen !  Amen !  After  addressing  the  whites  he 
particularly  addressed  the  negroes.  He  exhorted 
them  to  obey  their  masters,  and  be  resigned  to  their  , 
condition.  He  preached  to  them  the  terrors  of  hell 
that  hung  over  them  while  ^hey  remained  in  an  un- 
converted state  ;  that  they  were  slaves  to  their  lust, 
slaves  to  the  devil,  and  if  the}'  died  in  their  sins  they 
would  be  damned  forever. 

Rev.  Samuel  L.  Davis  was  next  examined :  I 
was  at  the  camp-meeting  and  heard  the  sermon. 
The  text  he  took  opened  the  way  to  speak  of  national 
virtues  and  national  sins.  Among  other  national 
sins  he  spoke  of  negro  slavery,  as  tolerated  in  this 
nation.  He  was  very  severe  upon  bad  masters,  and 
particularly  those  engaged  in  the  slave-trade.  In 


180 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


part  of  his  sermon  he  made  use  of  a  quotation  to  this 
effect,  I  think  : 

"  Is  there  not  some  chosen  curse,"  etc. 

"When  he  made  this  quotation  he  was  speaking  of  the 
slave-trade.  The  address  on  this  sin  was  principally 
directed  to  cruel  masters,  and  traffickers  in  human 
flesh.  After  preaching  to  the  whites  he  addressed 
the  blacks,  warned  them  faithfully'  of  their  own  sins, 
preached  to  them  the  terrors  of  the  law,  exhorted 
them  to  obedience  to  their  masters,  resignation  to 
their  state.  I  considered  the  address  to  the  slaves  a 
complete  antidote  for  any^thing  that  had  gone  before. 

Court.  "What  do  you  mean  by  an  antidote  ?  Was 
there  poison  to  be  expelled  ? 

A.  I  supposed  it  probable  many  masters  present 
would  be  offended  at  the  plain  manner  in  which  the 
preacher  delivered  the  greatest  truths,  and  I  thought 
their  wrath  would  be  turned  away  when  the  accused 
warned  the  slaves  so  faithfully  of  their  own  sins,  and 
exhorted  them  to  obedience  to  their  masters.  That 
is  what  I  mean  by  antidote.  I  never  supposed  there 
was  anything  criminal  in  his  sermon.  I  remember 
Mr.  Gruber  said  many  persons  would  contribute 
their  money  to  support  Bible  societies,  to  carry  the 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


181 


Scriptures  to  the  heathen  in  foreign  countries,  who 
neglected  to  teach  religion  to  the  heathens  in  their 
own  kitchens. 

Court.    Remember,  jou  must  state  the  truth. 

A.  Sirs,  I  am  on  my  oath  ;  that  is  warning  enough 
for  me.* 

Me.  To  was  next  examined :  I  heard  the  de- 
fendant preach  the  sermon.  I  remember  he  en- 
deavored to  prove  that  slaves  were  dangerous 
property  to  leave  to  children ;  that  although  fathers 
might  be  good,  the  children  might  be  tyrants, 
slaves  might  rise  against  the  children,  mutual 
destruction  might  ensue,  and  all  go  to  destruction 
together.  He  said  slavery  Avas  horrid  to  him  as  a 
man  and  a  Christian ;  that  it  was  a  violation  of  the 
moral  law,  the  law  of  Christianity,  and  was,  in  fact, 
contrary  to  the  sentiments  of  the  American  sages,  as 
expressed  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He 
said  it  was  monstrous  to  see  a  people  holding  a  scroll 

*  It  is  proper  to  state  that  the  court,  without  hesitancy,  apologized  to 
Mr.  Davis,  by  observing  that  nothing  -was  intended  against  his  integrity  ; 
but  that  the  court,  supposing  he  was  n  stranger  to  such  examinations, 
considered  it  their  duty  to  inform  him  that  he  was  bound  to  state  the 
whole  truth,  although  the  interrogatories  put  to  him  might  omit  some- 
thing. With  this  explanation  the  warning  of  the  court  was  as  beneficial 
to  the  accused  as  it  was  to  the  prosecution.  The  explanation  was  highly 
bouorable  to  the  court. 


182 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


of  liberty  in  one  hand,  and  a  bloody  whip  in  the 
other.  After  he  addressed  the  whites  he  turned  to 
the  negroes,  and  warned  them  faithfully  of  their  own 
sins  ;  and  exhoi'ted  them  to  repentance,  to  obedience 
to  their  masters,  and  patient  submission  to  their 
condition. 

Jacob  Bowlus  was  next  examined :  I  was  at 
the  camp-meeting  and  heard  Mr.  Gruber  preach 
the  sermon  for  which  he  is  now  indicted.  He 
preached  with  great  animation  and  zeal,  and  in 
the  general  scope  of  his  sermon  endeavored  to  con- 
vince the  whole  congregation  of  the  great  necessity 
of  repentance,  of  piety  and  love  to  God.  "When 
speaking  of  the  sins  of  masters  he  brought  into  view 
the  sin  of  negro  slavery  in  this"  country,  and  said  the 
Americans  are  very  inconsistent  when  they  hold  the 
scroll  of  liberty  in  one  hand,  declaring  that  all  men 
possess  equal  rights,  and  the  bloody  whip  in  the  other 
over  a  poor  trembling  negro,  sometimes  by  cruel 
masters  literally  cut  to  pieces.  He  said,  "  Some  mas- 
ters say,  'We  use  our  negroes  well.'  Granted:  but 
what  security  have  you  that  your  children  to  whom 
you  leave  them  will  do  the  same?  Your  children 
may  be  tyrants  over  them ;  mutual  strife  and  mutual 
destruction  may  ensue,  and  all  go  to  hell  together. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


183 


The  Lord  have  mercy  on  them."  Then  the  general 
response  of  Amen  !  took  place  which  has  been  men- 
tioned by  Dr.  Dorsey.  What  he  said  about  the  dan- 
ger of  killing  or  poisoning  referred  to  the  next  gen- 
eration. 

John  Bowlus  (of  Nicholas)  was  next  examined : 
I  heard  Mr.  Gruber  preacli  the  sermon  in  question. 
When  he  came  to  speak  of  the  national  sin  of  negro 
slavery,  he  observed  that  it  was  a  monstrous  incon- 
sistency for  a  people  to  hold  our  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence in  one  hand,  and  the  bloody  whip  stained 
with  the  gore  of  a  fellow-creature  in  the  other.  He 
was  very  severe  upon  bad  masters,  and  all  persons 
concerned  in  that  sort  of  commerce  called  the  slave- 
trade.  He  said  there  was  an  awful  responsibility 
resting  on  them  for  the  day  of  judgment.  He  en- 
forced Christian  duties  on  the  masters  and  slaves. 
He  applauded  the  good  master  and  the  good  slave. 
He  said  good  masters  make  good  slaves,  and  good 
slaves  make  good  masters.  He  endeavored  to  show 
by  various  arguments  that  it  was  impolitic  to  encour- 
age it ;  that  slaves  were  dangerous  property  to  leave 
to  children ;  that  though  fathers  might  be  good  the 
children  might  be  tyrants,  slaves  might  rebel  against 
the  children,  might  kill  them,  and  all  go  to  destruc- 


184 


/ 

LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


tion  together.  After  addressing  the  whites  he  turned 
to  the  negroes.  He  warned  them  to  serve  their 
masters  truly  and  faithfully,  that  it  was  their  great 
duty  to  be  obedient  and  resigned  to  their  condition. 

Me.  Brazier,  Mr.  Hunt,  Mr.  Bealer,  Me.  Blake, 
Me.  Middlekauff,  Mr.  White,  and  Mr.  Eetnolds 
were  next  examined  on  the  part  of  the  defendant, 
and  severally  stated  that  they  were  at  the  camp- 
meeting,  and  heard  Mr.  Gruber  deliver  the  sermon 
in  question.  His  text  was,  "  Eighteousness  exalteth 
a  nation,  but  sin  is  a  reproach  to  any  people."  In 
his  introductory  prayer  he  prayed  for  the  happiness, 
conversion,  peace,  and  quiet  of  the  whole  congrega- 
tion ;  and  in  the  general  scope  of  his  sermon  he,  with 
great  zeal,  enforced  the  necessity  of  repentance  to- 
ward God  and  faith  in  a  Saviour.  He  endeavored 
to  show  how  impolitic  it  was  to  encourage  slavery. 
He  said  e:ood  masters  have  no  securitv  that  their 
children  will  be  equally  good.  The  children  may 
turn  tyrants,  slaves  may  rebel  and  kill  the  children, 
and  all  go  to  destruction  together.  As  a  nation,  the 
Americans  were  very  inconsistent.  The  sentiments 
of  our  forefathers,  contained  in  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  are  violated  every  day.  The  scroll  of 
liberty  was  held  in  one  hand,  and  a  whip,  stained 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


185 


with  the  gore  of  a  human  being,  in  the  other.  When- 
ever he  spoke  of  the  danger  of  killing,  it  was  in 
reference  to  the  next  generation  of  men.  After  he 
addressed  the  whites  he  turned  to  the  negroes,  and 
preached  to  them,  with  great  zeal  and  animation,  the 
terrors  of  the  law  of  God  hanging  over  them-  while 
they  continued  unconverted.  He  told  them  they 
had  no  chance  of  happiness,  but  by  leading  pious 
lives  in  all  humility  to  their  condition  ;  exhorted 
them  to  be  obedient  to  their  masters,  and  to 
show  them  by  an  upright  walk  and  godly  conversa- 
tion that  they  deserved  their  lenity  and  kindness. 
He  told  them  by  an  orderly,  good  behavior,  they 
might  gain  the  good-will  of  their  masters,  and  in 
time,  and  in  the  course  of  providence,  might  ob- 
tain emancipation  ;  exhorted  all  of  them  who  had 
pious  masters,  to  join  them  morning  and  evening  in 
devotion. 

Rev.  ■  Fredekick  Stiee  was  next  examined :  Mr. 
Gruber,  when  speaking  of  national  sins,  brought 
into  view  negro  slaver}^  in  this  country.  He  argued 
to  show  it  was  a  national  sin  of  the  greatest  magni- 
tude. In  reasoning  with  masters  he  observed,  "Some 
of  you  say,  '  We  use  our  negroes  well.'  Granted : 
bat  what  security  have  you  that*  your  children,  to 


186 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  G  RUBER. 


whom  you  leave  that  sort  of  property,  will  use  them 
well.  Tour  children  may  turn  tyrants,  the  slaves 
may  rebel,  and  all  go  to  destruction  together."  He 
said  it  was  a  monstrous  inconsistency  in  the  Amer- 
icans to  hold  the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  one 
hand  and  the  bloody  scourge  in  the  other.  I  do  not 
remember  that  he  said  anything  about  poisoning  or 
killiug,  except  what  related  to  the  next  generation, 
as  before  mentioned.  In  his  address  to  the  negroes, 
he  warned  them  faithfully  of  their  own  sins,  and 
preached  to  them  the  necessity  of  repentance.  Ex- 
horted those  who  had  religious  masters  to  join  them 
in  devotion  to  God.  I  know  Mr.  Gruber  preached 
by  mere  accident.  He  called  on  me  to  preach  with 
very  pressing  and  anxious  solicitation  several  times. 
I  refused.  He  preached  on  that  occasion  with  great 
reluctance. 

Rev.  George  Roszel  was  next  examined :  I 
have  known  Mr.  Gruber  for  eight  or  nine  years. 
He  holds  an  office  second  in  rank  to  the  bishop.  He 
possesses  a  character  unblemished.  Ho  is  pious, 
zealous,  and  very  laborious  in  the  ministry.  I  have 
been  one  of  a  committee  in  the  annual  conference 
for  many  years  for  the  annual  examination  of  the 
characters  of  our  preachers,  and  Mr.  Gruber'a  has 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


187 


been  before  me  every  year,  in  that  way,  for  several 
years  past.  Nothing  that  conld  lead  to  immorality 
has  ever  been  imputed  to  him  in  his  ministerial 
character. 

Rev.  Abner  IS^eal  was  next  examined :  I  have 
been  acquainted  with  Mr.  Gruber  for  many  years, 
but  I  was  more  particularly  acquainted  with  him 
in  the  year  1814.  In  that  year  he  was  stationed 
by  the  Church  in  the  city  of  Baltimore,  where  I 
reside;  and  while  the  British  were  at  North  Point, 
threatening  Baltimore,  Mr.  Gruber  had  under  his 
charge  from  fifteen  hundred  to  two  thousand  ne- 
groes, and  kept  them  under  the  very  best  dis- 
cipline. I  have  heard  him  frequently  preach  to 
them  ;  and  he  warned  them  faithfully  of  their  duty 
to  their  masters,  and  patient  submission  to  their 
condition. 

Here  the  counsel  for  Mr.  Gruber  gave  notice  to 
the  attorney  general  that  they  had  now  closed  the 
examination  of  the  witnesses. 

CLOSING  ARGUMEJTT  FOR  THE  PROSECUTION". 

Franklin  Anderson,  district  attorney,  closed  the 
argument  on  behalf  of  the  state  in  a  brief  speech. 
He  said  he  felt  the  peace  and  good  oi-der  of  the 


188 


■ 

LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


state  as  much  at  heart  as  any  man,- and  would  be  as 
wilhng  as  any  man  to  see  person  guilty  of  crimes 
brought  to  condign  punishment,  but  he  said  he 
never  could  consent,  contrary  to  his  conscience, 
and  the  best  light  of  his  own  judgment,  to 
use  any  effort  to  convict  any  man  of  any  offense 
charged  against  him,  when  he  thought  from  the  evi- 
dence there  was  no  crime  committed.  He  said  he 
should  address  the  jury  no  further  on  the  subject, 
•  except  to  state  to  them  that  he  did  not  wish  his  own 
convictions  or  opinions  to  have  any  weight  with 
them.  He  should  leave  them  free  to  pass  their  own 
unbiased  judgment  on  the  case  before  them,  which  he 
hoped  they  would  do,  with  an  eye  to  the  public  good. 

MR.  MARTIN'S  ARGUMENT  FOR  THE  DEFENSE. 

The  attorney  general  having  closed  tlie  argument 
on  the  part  of  the  state,  Me.  Martin  rose  and  ad- 
dressed the  jury  as  follows  : 

I  appear  before  you  as  one  of  the  counsel  for  the 
accused ;  ^nd  if  the  subject  upon  which  we  delib- 
erate involved  no  other  interest  than  that  connected 
with  the  right  of  property,  I  should  be  well  pleased, 
after  the  very  just  and  candid  prosecution,  to  spare 
the  time  of  the  court,  and  submit  the  cause  of  my 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


189 


client,  without  commeut  or  remark,  to  the  delibera- 
tion and  decision  of  the  juVy. 

But  in  a  trial  which  wears  an  aspect  different 
from,  and  more  alarming  than  any  other  known  in 
the  history  of  the  court ;  when  a  citizen  eminent  for 
piety  and  Christianity  is  arraigned  for  doing  nothing 
but  what  benevolence,  piety,  and  Christianity  re- 
quired ;  when  the  feelings  and  principles  of  a  vastly 
numerous  Church  have  been,  through  the  accusation 
of  a  member,  sensibly  wounded  ;  and  when  the  right 
of  sentiment  and  of  speech  is  doubted  and  attacked, 
silence  on  our  part  would  be  criminal.  As  for  my- 
self, though  young  and  inexperienced,  shrinking 
from  the  gaze  of  public  scrutiny,  and  trembling 
under  consciousness  of  incapacity,  I  cannot,  under 
those  disadvantages,  forbear  at  least  the  exertion  of 
defending  a  client'  so  injured,  a  cause  so  just,  and 
principles  so  important  to  every  American,  as  to  be 
the  very  soul  of  his  national  independence. 

It  is,  however,  a  consideration  of  pleasure  to  know 
that  much  time  will  be  saved,  and  much  trouble  in 
this  investigation  unexpectedly  relieved,  and,  I  am 
happy  to  say,  relieved  by  the  firm  and  highly  hon- 
orable part  the  state's  advocate  has  acted.  Highly 
honorable  !  for  however  meritorious  it  may  be  actively 


190  LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


to  pursue  and  strenuously  to  prosecute  the  man  who 
would  meditate  to  unhinge  the  government,  and 
inundate  with  blood  the  land,  it  is  surely  equally 
meritorious  fearlessly  to  avow  him  innocent  whose 
innocence  has  been  proved.  The  district  attorney 
stands  upon  the  high  ground  of  protecting,  not 
abusing,  the  law  ;  to  shield  from  violation,  not  per- 
vert it  to  oppression ;  ready  to  exert  his  power 
against  the  wretch  who  willfully  profanes  it,  and 
ready  to  shelter,  under  the  mantle  of  authority,  the 
prisoner  who  is  wrongfully  accused,  whether  such 
accusation  arises  from  the  zeal  of  the  misguided,  the 
prejudice  of  the  misinformed,  or  the  uncontradicted 
information  a  grand  jury  gleans  fi-om  the  examina- 
tion of  ex  parte  witnesses. 

Gentlemen,  you  are  impanneled  to  determine  a 
case  of  no  ordinary  kind.  Tou  are  called  upon  to  dis- 
charge a  trust,  the  highest  that  can  be  discharged  by 
enlightened  men  endowed  with  the  powers  of  reason, 
and  empowered  with  right  of  decision.  Patriots 
who  have  suffered  for  the  liberties  of  our  country, 
look  to  your  verdict  with  an  agonizing  care ;  the 
Methodist  Church  bleeds  at  every  pore  for  the  fate 
of  a  minister  transferred  from  the  pulpit  to  the 
prison  box ;  posterity  to  succeed  may  have  reason 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


191 


either  to  bless  or  curse  the  result  of  this  day.  The 
busy  crowd  that  throng  the  court,  though  disposed  to 
immolate  at  the  shrine  of  opinion  the  man  who 
differs,  and  condemn  him  because  they  condemn  his 
sentiments,  will  learn  to  affirm  your  acquittal. 
When  that  film  which  now  obscures  the  vision  alike 
of  the  humane  and  the  wise  shall  have  fallen  ;  when 
those  fumes  which  float  from  the  heated  prejudices 
of  the  time  shall  have  passed  away,  they  will  learn 
that  the  blow  leveled  at  the  traverser  must  fall  upon 
themselves ;  that  the  freemen  who  condemn  a  man 
for  uttering  the  dictates  of  his  heart,  commit 
suicide  upon  their  liberties ;  and  by  sacrificing  this 
reverend  gentleman  they  sacrifice  those  noble  attri- 
butes of  their  constitution,  the  right  of  free  sentiment 
and  the  right  of  free  discussion. 

Who  is  the  accused  f  What  has  he  spoken  ?  Sow 
were  his  sentiments  dangerous  ?  and  with  what  inten- 
tion did  Tie  speak  those  sentiments  ?  These,  gentle- 
men, are  matters  for  your  consideration  ;  and  while, 
in  pursuing  them,  I  hope  duly  to  regard  the  duty  to 
my  client,  I  shall  not  forget  that  the  court,  the  jury, 
and  the  counsel  are  already  much  fatigued  with  the 
investigation  of  his  subject. 

Who  is  the  accused  f    He  is  a  gentleman  of  the 


192 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTTBER. 


clerical  ministry,  and  after  laboring  with  zeal  and 
fidelity  many  years  in  the  cause  of  religion,  has  been 
appointed  presiding  elder  of  the  district.  Nureed  in 
the  cradle  of  the  Church,  and  confirmed  in  its  tenets, 
he  has  "  grown  with  its  growth,  and  strengthened 
with  its  strength."  Aloof  from  those  cares  which 
incite  the  ambition,  deprave  the  passions,  and  multi- 
ply the  misfortunes  of  the  temporal  world,  his  life 
has  been  devoted  to  the  service  of  his  God,  and  his 
time  to  the  instruction  of  his  fellows.  Unconfined 
to  any  particular  situation,  he  has  traveled  from 
circuit  to  circuit,  shedding  in  his  course  the  light  «f 
the  Gospel,  and  disseminating  the  principles  of 
morals,  philanthropy,  and  religion.  The  duties  of  his 
office  carried  him  to  the  place  where  the  supposed 
crime,  was  committed,  for  which  supposed  crime  ho 
has  been  called  from  the  altar  of  grace,  to  answer 
charges  preferred  by  his  country. 

What  has  he  spoken?  At  a  camp-meeting  held 
last  August,  in  Washington  county,  the  traverser, 
according  to  the  will  of  the  ministry,  and  in  opposi- 
tion to  his  own  inclination,  preafched  a  sermon  from 
Proverbs :  "  Righteousness  exaltcth  a  nation,  but  sin 
is  a  reproach  to  any  people."  From  that  text  his 
deductions  were  man}',  and  after  descanting  upon  the 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


193 


different  divisions,  lie  addressed  the  congregation 
upon  the  subject  of  slavery.  He  spoke  of  it  as  a 
"national sin,"  and  condemned  the  practice  as  being 
contrary  to  natural  law,  national  policy,  and  the 
principles  of  humanity  and  religion. 

Thus,  gentlemen,  a  religious  discourse,  embracing 
the  principle  of  slavery,  has  given  rise  to  this 
criminal  prosecution.  The  indictment  accuses  the 
traverser  of  an  attempt  to  excite  "  rebellion ;"  and  is 
it  necessary  to  ask  whether  a  minister  can  be  thus 
criminated  for  advancing  to  his  own  congregation  sen- 
timents upon  a  subject  so  often  the  topic  of  general 
remark,  and  so  often  the  theme  of  public  reproba- 
tion ?  Tlie  right  of  slavery  is  a  question  of  abstract 
morals,  of  natural  law,  and  human  policy ;  a  subject 
upon  which  the  judgment  ponders  and  the  intellect 
suspends;  discussed  in  the  councils  of  the  nation, 
it  has  called  forth  the  efforts  of  the  benevolent  and 
learned ;  and  the  matter  of  that  memorable  sermon 
which  now  arraigns  this  reverend  gentleman  has 
been  long  since  proclaimed  by  elevated  statesmen. 
We  will  convince  yon  that  sentiments  upon  slavery, 
stronger  in  matter  and  bolder  in  expression  than  any 
portion  of  the  traverser's  discourse,  have  rolled  from' 

the  lips  and  flowed  from  the  pen  of  the  most  distin- 

13 


194  LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


guished  Americans.  Men  high  in  office,  eminent 
in  science,  fair  in  character,  and  exalted  in  the 
confidence  of  their  fellow-citizens,  have  arrayed 
themselves  the  champions  of  emancipation  ;  and  con- 
demned a  system  they  conceived  unwise  and  un- 
natural, dangerous  to  the  morals  and  strength  of  the 
people,  poisoning  the  springs  of  social  felicity,  and 
repugnant  to  the  principles  of  our  free  constitution. 

What  says  Mr.  Jefferson  ?  In  his  Notes  upon  Yir- 
ginia  he  thus  writes:  "There  must,  doubtless,  be  an 
imhappy  influence  on  the  manners  of  our  people, 
produced  by  the  existence  of  slavery  among  us.  The 
whole  commerce  between  master  and  slave  is  a 
perpetual  exercise  of  the  most  boisterous  passions, 
the  most  unremitting  despotism  on  the  one  part,  and 
degraded  submission  on  the  other."  Again  :  "  With 
what  execration  should  tlie  statesman  be  loaded  who, 
permitting  one  half  of  the  citizens  thus  to  tramplo 
on  tlie  rights  of  the  other,  transforms  tliose  into 
despots  and  these  into  enemies ;  destroys  the  morals 
of  the  one  part  and  the  amor  patnce  of  the  other  I 
For  if  a  slave  can  have  a  country  in  this  world,  it 
must  be  any  other  in  preference  to  that  in  which  he 
is  born  to  live  and  labor  for  another;  in  which  ho 
must  lock  up  the  faculties  of  his  nature,  contribute, 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


195 


as  far  as  depends  on  bis  individual  exertions,  to  the 
evanishment  of  the  human  race,  or  entail  his  own 
miserable  condition  on  the  endless  generations  pro- 
ceeding from  him."  Continuing,  he  asks :  "  Can  the 
liberties  of  a  nation  be  thought  secure  when  we 
have  removed  their  only  firm  basis,  a  conviction  in 
the  minds  of  the  people  that  their  liberties  are  the 
gift  of  God?  That  they  are  not  to  be  violated  but 
with  his  wrath  ?  I  tremble  for  the  honor  of  my 
country  when  I  reflect  that  God  is  just;  that  his 
justice  cannot  sleep  forever;  that,  considering  num- 
ber, nature,  and  means  only,  a  revolution  in  the 
wheel  of  fortune,  an  exchange  of  situation,  is  among 
possible  events;  that  it  may  become  probable  by 
supernatural  influence !  The  Almighty  has  no  attri- 
bute which  can  take  side  with  us  in  such  a  contest." 

Such,  gentlemen,  are  the  remarks  of  Mr.  Jefi"erson, 
and  I  read  them  for  the  purpose  of  proving  that  the 
subject  has  been,  before  this  sermon,  examined  with 
great  animation,  and  without  any  suspicion  of  crime. 
That  philosopher  and  statesman  called  the  attention 
of  his  state  to  an  evil,  coiToding,  as  he  thought, 
every  day  the  morals,  inflaming  the  passions,  weak- 
ening the  energies,  and  endangering,  perhaps,  the 
lit)erties  of  a  free  and  manly  people.    These  senti- 


196 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


ments  were  free  and  unconcealed,  circulated  in  Vir- 
ginia, so  nvmerous  in  slaves,  and  open  to  general 
observation,  private  discussion,  or  public  scrutiny. 

Yet  is  Mr.  Jeffereon  infamous?  Has  he  been 
branded  with  the  epithet  of  hypocrite  and  felon? 
Has  he  been  subjected  to  the  ceremony  of  a  criminal 
prosecution,  and  threatened  with  the  chains  and 
calamities  of  disgraceful  imprisonment  ?  No  !  since 
the  publication  of  his  notes  he  has  been  elected  to 
the  presidential  chair,  directed  for  eight  years  the 
affaii"s  of  the  nation,  and  now  reposes,  unaccused 
and  unsuspected  of  anything  like  treason,  in  the  lap 
of  literature  and  science. 

But,  gentlemen,  Mr.  Jeffei"son  is  not  the  only 
citizen  who  has  freely  spoken  upon  this  subject,  and 
who  ranks  high  in  the  councils  of  his  country.  The 
remarks  of  Mr.  Talmadge,  upon  the  floor  of  Congress, 
at  its  last  session,  on  the  question  of  the  Missouri 
bill,  were  much  in  substance  as  those  preached  by 
the  travei-ser.  Discussing  the  policy  of  admitting 
slavery  into  Missouri,  he  says :  "  You  boast  of  free- 
dom in  your  constitution  and  your  laws;  you  have 
proclaimed  in  your  declaration  of  rights  that  all  men 
are  created  equal ;  that  they  are  endowed  with  cer- 
tain unalienable  rights;  among  these  life,  libertj^. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


197 


and  the  pursuit  of  happiness ;  and  yet  ypu  have 
slaves  in  your  country."  In  another  part  he  con- 
tinues: "This  is  a  subject  [alluding  to  slavery]  upon 
which  I  have  great  feeling  for  the  honor  of  my 
country.  In  a  former  debate  upon  the  Illinois  ter- 
ritory I  mentioned  that  our  enemies  had  drawn  a 
picture  of  our  country,  as  holding  in  one  hand  our 
declaration  of  rights  and  with  the  other  brandishing 
a  whip  over  our  affrighted  slaves." 

Thus  you  learn  that  arguments  upon  the  evils  of 
slavery,  not  less  powerful  than  those  of  the  traverser, 
have  been  rung  by  a  president  of  the  United  States 
and  a  representative  in  Congress  in  the  ears  of  the 
whole  nation.  They  have  been  exalted,  not  dis- 
graced ;  they  have  received  the  benedictions,  not 
the  curses  of  their  country  ;  and  I  ask  by  what  prin- 
ciple of  fairness  can  you  accord  honor  to  the  one 
and  infamy  to  the  other  ?  They  are  argued  from 
the  right  of  free  discussion ;  the  same  right  is  dele- 
gated to  the  traverser.  The  golden  rule  of  dealing 
alike  to  all  is  just,  and  the  same  franchise  of  speech 
and  of  conscience  that  supported  Mr.  Jefferson,  Mr. 
Talmadge,  and  others,  when  bearing  their  weapons 
in  the  cause  of  freedom,  justifies  Mr.  Gruber. 

As  an  American  citizen,  he  was  authorized  to  dis- 


198 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


CUSS  the  policy  of  a  system  interwoven  with  the  well- 
being  of  his  government;  as  a  man,  moved  by  the 
feelings  of  benevolence,  and  glowing  with  enthusiasm 
of  philanthropy,  he  was  privileged  in  condemning  a 
practice  he  thovtght  inconsistent  with  both  ;  as  a  min- 
ister of  the  Gospel,  directed  by  the  laws  of  his  Church, 
and  instigated  by  conscience  and  belief,  he  was  bound 
to  tender  his  advice.  Had  he  not,  the  sin  of  "  leaving 
undone  those  things  he  ought  to  do,"  would  have  re- 
coiled upon  him  ;  he  would  have  broken  a  much  more 
sacred  law  than  he  is  said  to  have  violated  ;  he  would 
have  sinned  against  a  much  higher  tribunal  (however 
exalted  by  learning  and  virtue)  than  I  have  the  honor 
to  address ;  he  would  have  sinned  against  that  God 
before  whom  you  and  he  and  we  must  appear. 

Gentlemen,  before  a  man  can  bo  subject  to  the 
sanction  of  law,  law  must  be  proved  to  exist.  He 
cannot  violate  that  which  is  not  in  being.  Has 
any  law  been  adduced  to  jow  to-day?  Have  the 
prosecution  exhibited  any  statute  of  the  state  as 
broken  and  abused  ?    Kone  has,  none  can  be  offered. 

It  has  been  remarked  that  the  laws  of  Maryland 
allow  slavery.  Granted.  But  it  does  not  command 
it.  The  distinction  is  evident.  Did  the  law  positively 
command,  then  any  arguments  in  opposition  might  be 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


199 


criminal.  "Where  it  merely  permits,  it  becomes  a 
subject  of  private  opinion,  policy,  and  conscience ; 
and  any  citizen  has  the  privilege,  by  all  the  abilities 
of  his  mind,  to  remove  that  opinion  or  alter  that  be- 
lief. Besides,  the  traverser  addressed  his  own  con- 
gregation, confined  his  remarks  to  the  pale  of  his 
Church ;  and  surely  if  any  can  be  authorized,  it  is  the 
pastor  who  teaches  the  doctrines  of  his  Church  to 
those  who  compose  it.  The  Quakers  are  principled 
against  bearing  arms,  and  it  is  unnecessary  for  me  to 
tell  this  well-informed  jury  that  the  right  of  advocat- 
ing those  principles  in  their  houses  of  worship  never 
was  denied  them.  There  the  Quaker  opposes  what 
in  fact  is  declared  by  law ;  and  he  draws  his  right 
from  that  freedom  of  opinion  and  prerogative  of  speech 
every  man  living  under  the  sun  of  America  has  exer- 
cised since,  the  memorable  period  of  seventy-six. 

Gentlemen,  having  endeavored  to  establish  that  the 
traverser  thus  far  has  neither  violated  law  nor  reason, 
let  us  dissect  the  sermon,  and  before  we  proceed  to 
the  intention,  inquire  Iww  his  sentiments  were  danger- 
ous ;  and  whether,  upon  fair  construction,  they  can 
be  thought  calculated  to  excite  either  "  rebellion,  dis- 
obedience, or  insurrection."  You  learn  from  the  testi- 
mony that  the  sermon  consisted  of  two  distinct  parts : 


200 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


one  addressed  to  the  white  congregation,  and  the 
other  to  the  slaves.  And  so  far  from  attempting 
to  create  insubordination,  we  will  prove  that  the  clear 
and  ostensive  purpose  was,  first,  by  discussing  the 
principles  of  slavery,  (which  we  have  already  consid- 
ered,) to  effect  universal  emancipation  ;  secondly,  by 
exposing  the  cruelty  of  selling  and  torturing  slaves, 
to  ameliorate  and  soften  the  discipline  of  masters; 
and  thirdly,  by  instilling  the  policy  and  religion  of 
obeying  those  entitled  to  govern,  to  fasten  upon  the 
slaves  good  conduct  and  obedience. 

The  internal  slave-trade  of  this  country  formed 
the  subject  of  part  of  his  discourse;  and  he  dis- 
played in  the  severest  terms,  as  the  witnesses  deposed, 
the  sin  and  wickedness  of  such  atrocious  commerce. 
As  to  the  particular  expressions,  the  testimony  differs, 
but  in  substance  is  the  same.  And  where  is  the  crime  ? 
Is  there  any  man  on  that  jury,  or  in  this  court,  who 
would  not  respond  to  such  sentiments,  who  would  not 
raise  his  voice  and  power  in  suppressing  a  traffic  oppo- 
site to  the  laws  of  God,  and  repugnant  to  the  rights 
of  man?  Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  interest,  policy,  ne- 
cessity may  compel  us  to  retain  an  evil  which  seems 
to  be  entailed.  It  is  not  for  me  to  say,  until  the  oflForts 
of  philanthropy  shall  establish  for  these  people  a  suit- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKDBEE. 


201 


able  receptacle,  how  far  emancipation  would  be  pru- 
dent. But  nothing  can  justify  so  flagrant  and  cruel 
an  abuse  of  it.  No  motive  can  authorize  a  trade  that 
separates  the  husband  from  the  wife,  the  parent  from 
the  child,  and  the  relation  from  the  %iend ;  that  tears 
asunder  all  the  ties  of  social  connection  and  breaks 
apart  all  the  ligaments  of  natural  union  ;  steeping 
yet  deeper  in  misery  this  unfortunate  population,  and 
forcing  from  their  embrace  the  last  relic  of  human 
happiness.  It  "  would  draw  iron  tears  down  Pluto's 
cheek." 

The  African  slave-trade  has  engaged  the  attention 
and  attracted  the  notice  of  almost  every  part  of 
Christendom.  Tour  own  government  have  taken 
laudable  and  effective  measures  to  suppress  it.  So 
proud  is  England  of  her  exertions  that  she  contends 
for  the  right  of  example ;  and  ISTapoleon  of  France, 
amid  his  mad  career  of  war  and  carnage,  when  every 
call  of  mercy  seemed  drowned  in  the  din  of  battle, 
and  every  fiber  of  humanity  eradicated  by  the  power 
of  ambition,  forbad  the  slave-trade.  .  And  is  that  more 
to  be  deprecated  than  this  ?  The  same  cruelties  are 
practiced,  the  same  ties  are  broken,  the  same  agents 
employed.  Traffickers  in  blood  and  panderers  of  ava- 
rice are  engaged  in  both ;  and  the  vultures  who  hover 


202 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETJBER. 


over  the  coast  of  Africa  and  the  vultures  that  crowd 
from  the  sugar  farms  of  America  are  equally  destruct- 
ive ;  alike  they  feed  upon  the  vitals  and  fatten  upon 
the  miseries  of  an  unfortunate  and  degraded  people. 

Gentlemen,  I^orbear  to  press  or  continue  the  sub- 
ject. We  have  proved,  I  hope,  that  the  traverser 
has  not  in  thi^  violated  the  law.  In  this  country, 
enlightened  as  we  are  by  rays  of  Christianity,  and 
illumined  with  light  of  liberty,  no  law  can  be  pro- 
duced to  credit  a  practice  unwise,  inhuman,  and 
unjust. 

I  will  next  call  your  attention  to  a  passage  in 
which  he  exhibits  the  inconsistency  of  our  theory  and 
practice.  "Is  it  not  a  reproach  to  a  man  to  hold  in 
one  hand  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  with 
the  other  brandish  a  whip  over  the  bleeding  slave?" 
This  description,  though  hideous,  is  true.  The  same 
was  drawn  by  Mr.  Talmadge,  and  with  the  same 
foreignei-s  have  reproached  us.  The  picture  of  Amer- 
ican independence,  though  glowing  with  the  tints  of 
liberty  and  virtue,  cannot  but  be  darkened  and  dis- 
colored by  such  cruelty  and  oppression.  The  trav- 
erser did  not  apply  the  remark  generally,  but  made 
it  conditional ;  he  did  not  say  that  snch  practices 
existed  ;  yet  if  they  did  exist,  they  were  inconsistent. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK. 


203 


He  threw  his  sentiments  to  the  congregation,  "  qui 
capit,  ille  facit ;"  and  the  man  who  so  far  misuses 
power  which  chance  has  given,  well  merits  the  lash 
of  invective.  Does  any  attempt  appear  to  cause  "  re- 
bellion or  insurrection."  The  object  was  to  do  no 
more  than  expose  those  cruelties  which,  when  prac- 
ticed, degrade  the  man  and  stigmatize  the  nation. 

This  concluded  his  address  to  the  whites ;  and  as 
the  alleged  attempt  was  to  infect  the  slaves  with  re- 
bellious principles,  observations  to  them  become  more 
interesting,  because  more  important.  Several  wit- 
nesses on  the  part  of  the  prosecution,  and  all  for  the 
accused,  testify  that  the  whole  tenor  of  that  dis- 
course went  to  impress  upon  their  minds  the  value 
of  religion.  "  Of  all  people  in  the  world  you  ought 
to  have  religion,"  he  says,  "  for  when  converted,  you 
will  disregard  the  hardships  of  your  life."  It  is  said 
he  spoke  of  poison,  and  thereby  impliedly  recom- 
mended the  use  of  it  to  the  slave.  In  that  sentence, 
where  he  remarks,  "  that  although  you  (addressing 
the  masters)  use  them  well,  there  is  no  security  but 
what  your  children  will  tyrannize  over  them ;  tlie 
slaves,  abused,  rise  up,  and  kill  or  poison  your  cliil- 
dren,  and  all  he  hung  and  go  to  destruction  together^ 
Admitting  this,  can  any  man,  without  perverting 


204 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


common  sense  and  common  language,  see  an  attempt 
to  induce  the  use  of  poison  ?  Does  he  not  stamp 
such  conduct  with  the  dreadful  doom  of  death  and 
destruction  ?  With  equal  propriety  you  might  say, 
to  describe  futurity  was  to  encourage  sin ;  and  to 
instigate  murder,  it  would  only  be  necessary  to  relate 
the  appalling  ceremony  of  criminal  prosecutions. 

In  another  passage  :  "  Some  of  you  (addressing  the 
slaves)  have  good  masters ;  you  ought  to  attend  to 
religion,  and  discharge  your  duty  to  your  masters, 
that  it  may  make  your  condition  better  here  and  here- 
after. Some  of  you  have  cruel  masters;  you  are 
slaves  to  them,  slaves  to  sin,  and  if  you  die  without 
religion  you  will  be  slaves  to  the  devil."  "What, 
then,  does  he  declare  that  religion  to  consist  in  ?  Re- 
bellion? No  ;  for  that,  he  has  affirmed,  is  repugnant 
to  religion.  Disobedience  ?  Mr.  Snethen  tells  you, 
upon  oath,  that  he  fully  discharged  the  doctrines  of 
his  Church,  and  those  doctrines  command  the  slave 
to  obedience.  Insurrection  ?  Certainly  not,  for  then 
he  threatens  them  with  the  dreadful  reversion  of 
future  woe.  A  witness  thinks  that  he  said,  "  If  you 
die  slaves  to  your  mastei-s  you  will  be  damned."  The 
witness  from  ineligible  situation  must  be  mistaken  ; 
it  is  too  absurd  to  be  believed.    Could  the  traverser 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEB. 


205 


say  tliat  a  man  should  be  punished  for  an  evil  he 
could  not  avert,  and  suffer  for  that  which  was-  his 
misfortune,  not  his  fault?  It  is  contradicted  by 
every  witness  on  the  part  of  the  accused,  who,  we 
may  suppose,  from  situation  and  attention,  better 
undei-stood  and  more  correctly  remembered  the 
expressions  of  the  sermon. 

We  have  now,  gentlemen,  examined  each  passage 
of  the  sermon,  and  contend  that  it  has  been  viewed 
through  a  false  and  mistaken  medium ;  that  the 
observations  of  the  traverser  were  not,  in  themselves, 
calculated  to  inspire  "  rebellion  or  disobedience," 
and  therefore  hope  that  the  intelligent  jury  to  whom 
he  appeals  will  wipe  that  charge  from  the  indict- 
ment. But  if  I  should  be  too  sanguine  in  this  hope, 
should  we  fail  to  convince  you  that  his  sentiments 
were  useful,  not  dangerous  ;  much  more  is  necessary 
to  be  established — the  intention  is  the  life  and 
essence  of  every  crime — and  before  you  can  convict 
the  accused  upon  the  charge  of  high  misdemeanor, 
an  intention  to  commit  the  different  offenses  in 
the  indictment  must  be  proved,  wicked,  designed, 
and  felonious. 

Here  let  us  reflect  upon  the  testimony.  In  all 
cases  of  high  capital  nature  every  man  is  presumed 


206 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


innocent  until  proved  guilty.  Sucli  is  the  benignity 
of  our  laws ;  such  the  language  of  Justice  Buller, 
and  such  is  the  voice  of  all  English  authorities.  The 
case  at  bar  is  an  accusation  of  high  criminal  char- 
acter, and  it  is  much  stronger  to  prove  by  conduct 
than  presume  from  inference.  Where,  then,  is  the 
evidence  to  establish  such  guilt?  Can  it  be  found 
in  the  testimony  of  any  witness  ?  Can  a  single  fact 
or  circumstance  be  adduced  which  even  savors  of 
such  intention  ? 

All  the  gentlemen  of  the  Methodist  clergy  state 
that  the  traverser  strongly  objected  to  preaching  on 
the  day  named  in  the  indictment ;  that  he  expressed 
every  wish  to  decline,  and  used  every  means  to  avoid 
the  service,  and  did  not  consent  until  his  duty  as 
presiding  elder  compelled  him  to  perform  what 
others  refused.  The  congregation  of  whites  he  ad- 
dressed was  four  times  more  numerous  than  the 
slaves.  The  witness  from  Baltimore,  Mr.  Neal,  in- 
forms you  what  his  conduct  was  in  the*  year  1814:. 
Stationed  by  his  Church  in  Baltimore,  he  presided 
over  his  congregation^  during  the  memorable  battle 
of  North  Point,  and  at  that  anxious  moment,  when 
every  eye  watched  the  destiny  and  every  heart  beat 
for  the  danger  of  our  gallant  troops,  the  traverser  held 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEK. 


20Y 


in  harmless  subjection  a  body  of  fifteen  hundred  men. 
And  does  this  look  like  an  attempt  to  bring  ruin  up- 
on the  country;  to  whet  the  sword  of  civil  war,  or 
light  the  fires  of  desperate  rebellion  ?  Can  you  sup- 
pose premeditation  to  preach  on  that  day,  when  he 
so  often  refused  the  invitation  of  the  ministry? 
Would  he  have,  by  declaiming  before  the  masters, 
strong  in  numbers  and  power,  provoked  the  very 
sword  of  justice ;  and  would  he  have  failed  at  a 
former  period  in  the  commotion  of  Baltimore,  when 
all  its  nerves  were  braced  against  foreign  attack,  to 
strike  a  dreadful  and  perhaps  a  fatal  blow  ?  No,  it  is 
inconsistent  with  common  reason  to  think  it ;  and, 
however  the  policy  of  his  doctrines  may  be  question- 
ed, none,  unless  they  have  drunk  to  the  dregs  the  cup 
of  prejudice  or  folly,  can  doubt  the  purity  of  his 
heart.  His  object  was  to  effect  universal  emancipa- 
tion ;  his  intention  to  teach  the  law  of  religion,  and 
to  pour  into  the  afilictions  of  an  ill-fated  people  the 
comforts  and  consolations  of  the  Gospel. 

Gentlemen  of  the  jury,  this  trial  is  new  in  America: 
it  is  novel  in  the  jurisprudence  of  our  country.  You 
must  for  examples  unfold  the  blood-stained  page  of 
the  fifteenth  century.  Go  back  to  that  season  of  re- 
ligious fury ;  recur  to  that  black  and  disgraceful  pe- 


208 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


riod  of  intemperate  opinion  when  bigoted  belief  was 
supported  by  the  gibbet  and  the  stake,  and  the  very 
temples  of  justice  "smoked  with  bloody  execution." 

I  pretend  not  to  say  that  this  prosecution  has 
originated  from  such  influence;  the  fair  characters  of 
the  gentlemen  who  composed  the  Grand  Jury  (though 
personally  unknown  to  me)  defy  the  suspicion  ;  but 
it  matters  not  from  whom  or  from  what.  You  view 
the  case  with  all  its  lights  and  solemnly  decide  upon 
the  principles.  Shall  this  nation,  so  long  gloried  in 
as  the  home  of  the  oppressed,  the  retreat  of  the  per- 
secuted, the  asylum  of  those  who,  in  the  dreadful 
massacre  of  individual  privilege,  have  flown  from 
their  "  altars  and  their  gods,"  be  at  this  day  reduced 
to  the  disgraceful  level  of  infuriated  despotism?  I 
trust  not.  The  streams  of  jurisprudence,  drawn 
from  the  fountains  of  liberty  and  virtue,  will  continue 
to  play  through  the  land  free  and  unpolluted.  But 
it  is  unnecessary  to  invoke  such  sentiments  in  the 
bosom  of  this  impartial  tribunal.  The  firmness,  the 
intelligence  and  integrity  of  juries  must  ever  prove  a 
safeguard  and  barrier  against  the  encroachments  of 
prejudice.  The  traverser  has  been  introduced  to 
you  with  the  imposing  name  of  a  Grand  Jury ;  a  host 
of  testimony  has  rallied  round  and  ventured  to  sup- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


209 


port  it.  Yet,  gentlemen,  you  have  seen  that  not  the 
inffenious  examination  of  the  learned  district  attor- 

o 

ney,  not  all  the  exertions  of  professional  ability,  have 
been  enabled  to  extract  one  fact  or  elicit  one  circum- 
stance to  uphold  an  indictment  baseless  and  un- 
founded. 

Sir,  I  have  done ;  not,  however,  without  offering 
my  thanks  to  the  honorable  court  for  the  indulgent 
attention  they  have  been  pleased  to  extend,  on  my 
part  undeserved  and,  except  in  my  gratitude,  unre- 
quited. Considering  the  stage  of  this  trial,  and  the 
gentlemen  who  follow  me,  if  I  have  trespassed  too 
long  upon  their  time  my  apology  must  be  sought  in 
the  deep  interest  and  importance  of  the  case. 

In  defending  the  honor  and  liberty  of  a  gentle- 
man whose  life,  through  a  series  of  twenty  years,  has 
passed  unspotted  and  unreproached,  I  am  justified  in 
saying,  that  it  has  been  not  merely  beyond  censure 
but  irreproachable  until  this  day,  and  beyond  sus- 
picion. His  life  has  been  dedicated  to  the  holiest 
offices  of  religion,  and  employed  in  relieving  those 
miseries  and  softening  those  sorrows  which  should 
have  awakened  the  sympathies  of  a  colder  heart. 

Confiding  in  your  virtue,  the  traverser  awaits  the 

verdict  with  calmness  and  security.    If  acquitted, 

14 


210 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


glorying  in  the  principles  of  Lis  country,  he  will  re- 
turn to  his  duties  with  zeal  and  faithfulness ;  if  con- 
victed, supported  by  the  consciousness  of  innocence, 
he  will  bear  whatever  punishment  the  law  may  inflict 
with  the  resignation  of  a  Christian  and  the  firmness 
of  a  man. 

MR.  PIGMAN'S  ARGUMENT  TO  THE  JURY. 

Mr.  Pigman,  who,  as  counsel  for  the  defense,  con- 
ducted the  examination,  then  addressed  the  jury: 

You  perceive  from  the  case  before  you  that  it  did 
not  originate  in  Frederic  county,  and  I  trust  you 
also  perceive  tliat  the  accused  was  bound  in  duty  to 
his  own  character,  and  the  still  greater  duty  he  owed 
to  the  sacred  cause  of  religion,  to  embrace  his  legal 
privilege  of  changing  the  venue,  to  shield  himself 
from  an  overwhelming  and  dangerous  influence, 
which,  from  some  strange  and  unaccountable  infatu- 
ation, seemed  to  be  seeking  liis  destruction.  In  this 
prosecution  we  have  new  proof,  if  any  was  wanting, 
that  none  need  to  look  for  angels  in  the  form  of  men, 
and  that  men,  however  respectable  they  may  be,  are 
involved  in  the  same  general  condition  of  mortality, 
and  liable  to  be  urged  on  to  give  pain  and  uneasiness 
to  perfect  innocence  itself  by  erroneous  judgment, 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER, 


211 


and  the  still  greater  dehision  of  prejudice  and  inflated 
anger.  Folly  itself,  give  it  time  to  cool  and  review 
what  it  has  done,  will  shrink  abashed  from  this  pros- 
ecution, and  be  constrained  by  the  stings  of  a  disturb- 
ed sensibility  to  own  with  silent  anguish,  if  not  pub- 
lic acknowledgment,  that  there  is  no  criminal  fault 
in  the  preacher.  The  intent  with  which  any  act  is 
done,  is  to  give  it  a  criminal  or  innocent  complexion. 
It  is  lawful  to  preach  or  debate  against  negro  slavery 
in  the  pulpit  as  well  as  in  the  senate,  if  the  oratora 
have  no  criminal  intent  in  their  arguments ;  and 
stronger  proof  of  an  innocent  intent  never  was  pro- 
duced by  any  person  accused  of  a  crime  than  that 
brought  into  court  by  the  reverend  gentleman  I  now 
defend. 

It  is  in  proof  that  the  camp-meeting  where  the 
discourse  containing  the  supposed  crime  was  de- 
livered, was  not  appointed  by  him  ;  tliat  the  sermon 
preached  was  wholly  accidental  and  unpremeditated, 
after  he  had  labored  with  great  solicitude,  but  with- 
out success,  with  one  of  his  brethren  to  preach  in 
his  place.  He  being  presiding  elder  of  the  district 
it  was  his  duty  to  preach,  as  no  substitute  could  be 
procured.  His  introductory  prayer  ushering  in  the 
discourse  possessed  no  signs  of  a  treasonable  or  re- 


212 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


bellious  disposition.  lu  this  close  converse  with 
Almighty  God  he  offered  up  pious  petitions  at  a 
throne  of  grace  for  the  peace,  quiet,  happiness,  and 
conversion  of  his  congi'egation ;  and  by  the  general 
scope  of  his  whole  discourse  it  is  proved  he  enforced 
upon  his  audience  the  divine  doctrines  of  repentance, 
faith  in  Christ,  love  of  God  and  their  neighbor.  It 
is  in  proof,  both  by  the  witnesses  for  the  state  and 
the  accused,  that  in  this  particular  address  to  tlie 
negroes  he  inculcated  the  necessity  of  their  seeking 
the  pardon  of  their  sins  at  a  throne  of  grace ;  told 
them  that  the  love  of  God  (which,  of  course,  would 
carry  with  it  love  for  fheir  masters)  would  ameliorate 
their  condition,  would  procure  their  happiness  in 
this  life  and  the  approbation  of  the  Lord  in  that  day 
when  he  would  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the 
dead.  That  those  of  them  who  were  yet  in  their  sins, 
■unrenewed  by  divine  grace,  were  not  only  slaves  to 
their  masters,  but  slaves  to  their  lusts,  slaves  to  the 
devil,  and  if  they  died  without  repentance  toward 
God  they  would  be  sentenced  forever  by  the  right- 
eous Judge  to  damnation.  It  is  in  proof  by  a  great 
mass  of  evidence  on  the  part  of  the  accused,  from  a 
great  many  respectable  witnesses,  that  to  prevent  all 
misunderstanding  of  his  motives  among  the  whites, 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE, 


213 


and  to  suppress  the  least  rising  of  a  tliouglit  that 
would  lead  to  insubordination  among  the  blacks,  he 
preached  to  the  latter  obedience  to  their  masters, 
resignation  to  their  present  condition,  and  urged 
those  who  had  pious  masters  to  join  them  in  their 
devotion  ;  that  by  a  strict  religious  and  moral  de- 
portment in  the  order  of  Providence  they  might 
eventually  obtain  emancipation. 

The  American  sages  who  formed  the  constitution 
of  Maryland  have,  with  caution  and  sagacity  highly 
honorable  to  their  integrity  and  wisdom,  preserved  a 
declaration  of  rights  on  record,  in  which  it  is  declared, 
"  That  it  is  the  duty  of  every  man  to  worship  God  in 
such  a  manner  as  he  thinks  most  acceptable  to  him ;  all 
persons  professing  the  Christian  religion  are  equally 
entitled  to  protection  in  their  religious  liberty,  where- 
fore no  person  ought  by  any  law  to  be  molested  in 
his  person  or  estate  on  account  of  his  religious  per- 
suasion or  profession,  or  for  his  religious  practice, 
unless  under  color  of  religion  any  man  shall  disturb 
the  good  order,  peace,  or  safety  of  the  state,  or  shall 
infringe  the  laws  of  morality,  or  injure  others  in  their 
natural,  civil,  or  religious  rights."  These  sages  were 
informed  by  the  history  of  the  old  world,  particularly 
that  of  England,  that  the  secular  authority  had  often 


214 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


assumed  unreasonable  and  unlawful  powers  against 
the  rights  of  conscience,  and  that  a  dominant  and 
powerful  sect,  sometimes  exercising  its  power  and 
influence  to  destroy  a  sect  more  weak  and  defense- 
less, had  frequently  created  strife  and  dissension 
in  the  Christian  Church,  and  greatly  annoyed  the 
peace  and  security  of  civil  society.  They  had  learned 
in  the  Book  of  Martyra  that  good  men  had  bled  and 
burnt  at  the  stake  for  adhering  to  the  testimony  of 
a  good  conscience,  and  had  skill  enough  in  political 
economy  to  know  that  civil  liberty  could  not  long 
exist  in  any  state  where  religious  liberty  was  not 
freely  enjoyed.  The  clause  of  the  bill  of  rights  just 
quoted  was  therefore  made,  and  is  a  precious  jewel 
among  the  rights  of  the  citizen.  The  legislature, 
though  possessing  more  power  than  any  other  tri- 
bunal in  the  state,  has  no  authority  to  take  this  jewel 
from  the  citizen ;  and  however  bold  and  frank  a 
preacher  may  be  in  a  discourse  ^gainst  the  vice  of 
slavery,  permitted  by  law,  to  a  mixed  assembly  of 
slaves  and  masters,  yet,  as  long  as  he  intends  to 
commit  no  crime,  but  eradicate  the  vice,  he  is  inno- 
cent and  inoffensive,  and  worthy  of  being  protected 
by  the  laws  of  God  and  man.  ISTegro  slavery,  as  it 
exists  in  this  country,  is  evidently  a  violation  of 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


215 


natuVal  law,  and  is  contrary  to  the  fundamental 
principles  of  the  Christian  religion.  When  we  speak 
undisguised  truth  from  an  honest  heart  we  pro- 
nounce it  an  absolute  despotism,  at  which  we  should 
all  shrink  with  horror  if  it  were  fixed  upon  our  white 
population  :  and  to  prevent  it  from  involving  the 
whites  and  drawing  into  its  vortex  our  own  posterity, 
even  in  a  much  milder  form,  we  would  readily  con- 
sent to  rise  en  masse,  and  pledge  the  last  drop  of 
our  blood  and  the  last  cent  of  our  treasure.  This, 
though  known  to  every  man  of  serious  reflection 
and  sound  philosophy,  is  a  secret  to  many  of  the 
slaves;  and  although  the  relating  this  great  secret 
to  the  whites  in  their  hearing  might  by  some  remote 
possibility  start  a  thought  of  insubordination,  which 
might  by  another  possibility  still  more  remote  lead 
to  some  overt  act  of  rebellion,  yet  it  is  not  unlawful 
to  do  it  so  long  as  it  is  done  with  an  innocent  intent. 
There  is  not  only  no  law  existing  in  Maryland  to 
prevent  it,  but  the  legislature  of  the  state  does  not 
possess  power  to  pass  any  snch  law,  it  being  pro- 
hibited by  the  bill  of  rights.  Consider,  gentlemen, 
the  American  is  rocked  in  the  very  cradle  of  liberty, 
and  is  habituated  in  thinking  and  speaking  to  more 
freedom  and  independence,  and  less  restraint,  than 


216 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


the  men  of  any  other  country.  He  is  disposed  to 
enjoy  his  privilege  to  the  fullest  extent,  and  neither 
fears  nor  suspects  any  evil  while  he  moves  within  the 
limits  of  the  constitution. 

The  preacher  is  commissioned  and  sent  forth  by 
God  to  declare  his  counsel  and  will  to  a  fallen 
world,  with  the  whole  revelation  for  his  instruction 
and  guide.  In  those  instructions  he  finds  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  hath  declared  in  his  in- 
imitable sermon  on  the  mount :  "  Therefore,  all 
things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to 
you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them:  for  this  is  the  law  and 
the  .prophets."  Matt,  vii,  12.  And  again :  "  For 
whosoever  shall  keep  the  whole  law,  and  yet  offend 
in  one  point,  he  is  guilty  of  all."  James  ii,  10.  By 
the  quotation  from  St.  Matthew  it  is  manifest  that 
slavery  is  prohibited  by  the  comprehensive  meaning 
of  our  Saviour  ;  and  by  the  declaration  of  the  apostle 
James  it  is  clear,  that  however  excellent  any  man 
may  be  in  all  other  respects,  yet  if  he  offend  in  this 
"  one  essential  point  he  is  a  transgressor  of  the  whole 
law."  Now  if  a  preacher,  in  perusing  his  instructions 
contained  in  the  holy  word  of  truth,  believes  to  the 
best  of  his  judgment  and  undei-standing  that  it  ia  a 
vice  to  hold  slaves,  and  that  it  is  his  duty  as  a  faith- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


217 


ful  messenger  to  declaim  against  vice  in  every  shape, 
in  his  worship  of  Almighty  God  it  becomes  his  right 
to  do  so,  and  it  is  a  privilege  of  conscience,  as  com- 
pletely secured  to  him  by  our  bill  of  rights  as  the 
privilege  of  believing  that  Jesus  is  the  Saviour  of  the 
world.  The  same  rule  that  would  prohibit  the  one 
migftt  prohibit  the  other,  until  the  civil  or  secular 
power  miglit  be  pemiitted  by  piecemeal  to  assume 
an  authority  that  would  greatly  vex  and  disturb 
every  order  and  sect  of  the  Christian  Church. 

The  Methodist  and  Quaker  ministi'y  both  consider 
slavery  as  a  great  vice ;  and  if  it  could  be  said  that 
the  act  of  preaching  itself,  under  circumstances 
which  do  not  show  a  criminal  intent,  would  justify 
the  arrest  and  indictment  of  a  preacher,  these  two 
sects  of  Christians  must  be  silenced,  and  submit  to  be 
deprived  of  that  very  liberty  of  conscience  evidently 
secured  to  them  by  the  "  bill  of  rights."  There  are 
no  signs  of  a  treasonable  or  rebellious  disposition  to 
be  found  in  the  accused.  He  did  not  appoint  the 
meeting.  The  sermon  was  delivered  with  reluctance, 
without  premeditation,  and  not  until  after  he  had 
solicited  another  gentleman  to  preach  for  him.  It  is 
admitted  by  his  accusers  that  he  made  no  attempt 
at  any  other  time  or  place  to  incite  the  slaves  to 


218 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


rebellion.  Then  they  would  have  you  believe  that  a 
man  in  his  senses  would  publicly,  in  the  presence  of 
five  thousand  whites,  persuade  from  three  to  five  hun- 
dred blacks  to  rise  in  instant  and  open  rebellion.  All 
his  severity  was  directed  to  those  who  used  their 
slaves  with  cruelty,  keeping  up  the  distinction  be- 
tween good  and  bad  masters :  and  in  his  argumeflts  he 
was  endeavoring  to  prove  that  slaves  were  dangerous 
property  for  fathers  to  leave  to  their  children ;  and 
that,  although  fathers  might  treat  their  slaves  with 
humanity,  they  had  no  security  that  their  posterity 
might  not  act  the  part  of  tyrants,  the  slaves  rise 
against  the  children,  kill  them,  and  bo  hung  for 
their  crime,  and  all  go  to  destruction  together. 
The  reference  to  the  next  generation  is  conclusive 
proof  that  he  had  no  criminal  intent.  For  he  must 
be  a  most  singular  offender  indeed  to  invent  a  trea- 
sonable plot  to  be  executed  upon  the  next  generation 
of  men  when  he  himself  would  not  live  to  see  it. 
But  the  peroration  of  his  sermon  is  still  more  con- 
clusive that  he  contemplated  no  crime.  In  the  last 
part  of  his  address  he  preached  the  awful  terrors  of 
the  law  of  God  to  the  negroes  expressly  ;  warned 
them  faithfully  of  their  own  sins ;  advised  them  to 
resignation  to  their  present  condition,  obedience  to 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEK. 


219 


theii*  masters ;  urged  them  to  obtain  and  keep  re- 
ligion,'to  secure  them  happiness  in  this  world  and 
peace  with  God  in  heaven. 

But  it  is  said  by  some  that  it  was  improper  to 
preach  even  the  truth  when  the  negroes  were 
present,  because  it  might,  by  some  remote  possibility, 
lead  to  mischief.  This  surely  cannot  make  it  a 
crime,  nor  can  the  plain  style  in  which  he  spoke. 
If  Mr.  Gruber  were  indicted  for  an  impropriety  or 
an  indiscretion  in  the  arrangement  and  composition 
of  his  discourse,  or  for  awkwardness  of  gesture  and 
unpolished  delivery,  it  might  be  necessary  to  reply 
to  such  an  insinuation.  But  you  are  not  a  jury  of 
critics  to  try  the  composition  of  Mr.  Gruber,  to  con- 
demn him  because  his  tropes  and  figures  were  not 
braided  and  festooned  with  all  that  polish  of  eloquence 
that  might  be  found  in  a  more  accomplished  orator. 
But  you  are  trying  him  for  a  crime  said  to  have  been 
committed  against  the  laws  of  his  country.  But  it  is 
said,  the  allusion  of  the  accused  to  the  Declaration 
of  Independence,  and  the  reproach  thrown  upon  our 
national  character  by  him  for  the  inconsistency  of 
declaring  in  that  instrument,  "  that  we  hold  these 
truths  to  be  self-evident,  that  all  men  are  created 
equal ;  that  they  are  endowed  by  their  Creator  with 


220 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUB^R. 


certain  unalienable  rights;  thiat  among  these  are 
life^  liberty^  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness  f  tnd  still 
encouraging  slavery  and  holding  a  bloody  whip  over  a 
trembling  negro,  ought  to  be  received  as  evidence  of 
a  criminal  intent.    It  is  evident  that  the  traverser,  in 
this  part  of  his  sermon,  was  discussing  a  principle  of 
natural  law,  which  he  found  in  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  admitted  in  all  parts  of  the  Union  as 
the  sound  and  proper  basis  of  a  republican  govern- 
ment.   Finding  that  the  colonies  in  their  struggle  for 
liberty  had,  in  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 
avowed  the  sentiment  without  reserve,  that  all  men 
have  equal  rights,  he  argued  as  a  corollary,  that  if 
all  men  have  eqiuil  rights^  it  was  at  once  destroying 
the  very  principles  of  a  free  government  to  exclude 
men  from  the  enjoyment  of  liberty  and  the  pursuit  of 
happiness  on  account  of  the  darkness  of  their  skin 
or  -fleecy  locks  ;  and  that  it  would  no  more  comport 
with  the  principles  of  republicanism  to  do  so  than 
it  would  to  exclude  all  men  from  the  enjoyment 
of  liberty  who  had  not  attained  a  certain  portion  of 
wealth  or  stature  of  body.  This  was  the  meaning  and 
object  of  the  accused,   and  the  sermon,  among 
rational  men,  will  admit  of  no  other  succedaneum. 
Now,  who  would  have  supposed  that  principles  so 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


221 


fraught  with  truth,  and  which  cost  this  nation  so 
many  years  of  blood,  carnage,  peril,  and  anxiety 
to  maintain,  would,  so  early  in  the  history  of  the 
republic,  lay  the  foundation  of  a  prosecution  against 
a  preacher  because  he  maintained  them  in  the 
pulpit. 

In  all  probability  this  case  will  make  a  part  of  the 
future  history  of  this  nation,  both  in  the  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  department;  and  how  astonished  will 
the  republican  reader  be  that  truths  proclaimed  to 
the  world  and  left  upon  record  by  Jefferson,  Adams, 
Hancock,  and  other  worthy  sages,  and  which  deserve 
to  be  written  in  letters  of  gold,  should  be  brought 
against  the  preacher  as  evidence  of  a  crime.  The 
philosopher  and  statesman  is  permitted  to  speak  and 
write ;  but  the  man  of  God,  upon  these  great  and  in- 
controvertible truths,  cannot  open  his  mouth  without 
danger  of  fine  an^d  imprisonment.  In  the  sermon  sup- 
posed to  be  criminal,  the  accused  seemed  to  be  argu- 
ing the  question  of  slavery  as  a  national  thing,  ad- 
dressed to  the  present  audience  as  a  part  of  the  nation. 
But  you  can  no  more  infer  that  he  had  malice  against 
those  who  heard,  merely  from  the  freedom  with  which 
he  discussed  the  subject,  than  you  can  infer  he  had 
malice  against  the  whole  people  of  the  United  States. 


222 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


You  cannot,  with  propriety,  infer  the  former  or  the 
latter,  unless  you  say  that  malice  ought  to  be  presumed 
in  every  man,  in  Church  or  state  that  will  publicly, 
in  a  speech,  censure  or  condemn  the  practical  policy 
of  any  nation.  This  would  be  absurd,  for  it  would 
effectually  destroy  every  privilege  of  inquiry. 
Wretched  indeed  would  be  the  liberty  of  the  citizen, 
if  he  could  not  discuss  plain,  or  even  doubtful  ques- 
tions in  metapliysics,  philosophy,  natural  law,  or  in 
theology,  without  danger  of  being  condemn*d.  It 
would  be  introducing,  in  miniature  at  least,  some  of 
the  horrors  of  the  Inquisition.  But  it  has  been  said 
that  the  pulpit  is  not  a  proper  place  to  discuss  the  • 
slave  question,  because  it  is  usual  for  slaves  to  be 
present,  more  or  less,  to  hear  these  discourses,  and  it 
might  possibly  lead  to  insubordination.  If  the  possi- 
bility of  negroes  getting  to  know  what  may  be 
written  or  spoken  upon  this  subject  constitutes  a 
crime,  no  man  could  write  or  speak  upon  it  without 
making  himself  liable  to  a  prosecution.  Many  emi- 
nent tracts  have  been  written  against  slavery  by  some 
of  our  most  distinguished  philosophei-s,  and  have  been 
perused  and  fully  understood  by  negroes.  Many 
^distinguished  statesmen  have  spoken  against  it,  and 
have  been  heard  by  negroes. 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEB. 


223 


During  the  late  debates  in  Congress  upon  the 
Missouri  question,  involving  the  policy  of  negro 
slavery,  many  distinguished  members,  in  opposition 
to  that  policy,  to  maintain  their  ground,  have  ad- 
verted to  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  have 
admitted  that  it  was  reproachful  to  this  country  to 
hold  the  Declaration  of  Independence  in  one  hand 
and  the  lash  of  despotism  in  the  other,  though  at  the 
time  it  was  supposed  slaves  were  in  the  gallery 
listening  to  the  debate.     Yet  no  one,  before  this, 
has  attempted  to  indict  and  arraign  the  writers  or 
speakei-s  for  their  disinterested  kindness.    The  pulpit, 
surely,  more  than  any  other  place  of  public  exhi- 
bition, ought  to  have  a  commanding  influence  on  our 
moral  and  religious  character.    When  a  great  moral 
evil  is  spreading  like  a  leprosy  through  the  whole 
body  politic,  the  tocsin  of  alarm  ought  to  be  sounded 
by  holy  men  with  a  divine  pathos  and  energy  becom- 
ing a  station  given  to  them  by  Almighty  Grod,  who 
is  justly  styled  in  his  own  word,  "  the  Father  of 
lights,"  and  the  "author  of  truth,"  and  all  good 
morals,  "  in  whom  there  is  no  variableness  nor 
shadow  of  turning."    Through  this  influence,  in  a 
great  measure,  this  nation  has  already  been  awakened 
to  the  great  evil  of  slavery,  and  measures  are  now  in 


224 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


preparation  by  a  colonizing  society,  aided  by  the 
government,  to  send  the  free  people  of  color  to  the 
land  of  their  fathers  as  fast  as  they  may  be  set  free 
by  a  gradual  and  voluntary  system  of  emancipation. 
For  the  purpose  of  showing  you  the  duties  of  the 
accused  as  a  minister  in  the  Church  to  which  he 
belongs,  I  will,  with  your  permission,  read  some 
extracts  from  the  canons  of  his  Church,  in  chapter 
vii,  p.  212 : 

"  Question.  What  shall  be  done  for  the  extirpation 
of  the  evil  of  slavery  ? 

'■'■Answer  1.  We  declare  that  we  are  as  much  as 
ever  convinced  of  the  great  evil  of  slavery ;  and  do 
most  earnestly  recommend  to  the  yearly  conferences, 
quarterly  meeting  conferences,  and  to  those  who 
have  the  oversight  of  the  districts,  circuits,  and  sta- 
tions, to  be  exceedingly  cautious  what  persons  they 
admit  to  official  stations  in  our  Church ;  and  in  the 
case  of  future  admissions  to  official  stations,  to  require 
such  security  of  those  who  hold  slaves,  for  the  eman- 
cipation of  them  immediately  or  gradually,  as  the 
laws  of  the  states  respectively  and  the  circumstances 
of  the  case  will  admit ;  and  we  do  fully  authorize  all 
the  yearly  conferences  to  make  whatever  regulations 
they  judge  proper,  in  the  present  case,  respecting 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


225 


the  admissions  of  persons  to  official  stations  in  our 
Church, 

"  2.  "When  any  traveling  preacher  becomes  an 
owner  of  a  slave  or  slaves  by  any  means  he  shall 
forfeit  his  ministerial  character  in  our  Church,  unless 
he  execute,  if  it  be  practicable,  a  legal  emancipation 
of  such  slaves  conformably  to  the  laws  of  the  state  in 
which  he  lives. 

"  3.  ISTo  slaveholder  shall  be  received  into  full 
membership  in  our  society  till  the  preacher  who  has 
the  oversight  of  the  circuit  has  spoken  to  him  freely 
and  faithfully  on  the  subject  of  slavery. 

"  4.  Every  member  of  the  society  who  sells  a  slave, 
except  at  the  request  of  the  slave,  in  cases  of  mercy 
and  humanity,  agreeably  to  the  judgment  of  a  com- 
mittee of  the  male  members  of  the  society,  appointed 
by  the  preacher  who  has  the  charge  of  the  circuit, 
shall  immediately,  after  full  proof,  be  expelled  the 
society.  And  if  any  member  of  our  society  purchase 
a  slave,  the  ensuing  quarterly  meeting  conference 
shall  determine  on  the  number  of  years  which  the 
slave  so  purchased  shall  serve,  to  work  out  the  price 
of  his  purchase.  And  the  person  so  purchasing  shall 
immediately  after  such  determination  execute  a  legal 

instrument  for  the  manumission  of  such  slave  at  the 

15 


226 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


expiration  of  the  term  determined  by  the  quarterly 
meeting  conference.  And  in  default  of  his  executing 
such  instrument  of  manumission,  or  on  his  refusal  to 
submit  his  case  to  the  judgment  of  the  quarterly 
meeting  conference,  such  member  shall  be  excluded 
the  society.  Provided^  That  in  the  case  of  a  female 
slave,  it  shall  be  inserted  in  the  aforesaid  instrument 
of  manumission  that  all  her  children  who  shall  be 
born  during  the  yeare  of  her  servitude  shall  be  free 
at  the  following  times,  namely :  every  female  child 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  every  male  child  at  the 
age  of  twenty-five.  Provided^  also.,  That  if  a  mem- 
ber of  our  society  shall  buy  a  slave  with  a  certificate 
of  future  emancipation,  the  terms  of  emancipation 
shall,  notwithstanding,  be  subject  to  the  decision  of 
the  quarterly  meeting  conference. 

"  5.  Let  our  preachers  from  time  to  time,  as  occa- 
sion serves,  admonish  and  exhort  all  slaves  to  render 
due  respect  and  obedience  to  the  commands  and 
interests  of  their  respective  mastei-s." 

In  this  section  it  is  made  his  duty  to  admonish 
the  people  against  the  vice  of  slavery;  and  it  is  also 
made  his  duty  to  exhort  and  admonish  all  slaves  to 
render  due  respect  and  obedience  to  the  commands 
and  interests  of  their  respective  masters;  and  in  dis- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


227 


charge  of  his  duty  in  making  known  the  doctrine 
of  his  sect  to  the  world  he  is  completely  protected 
by  the  bill  of  rights ;  and  we  cannot  believe  that  he 
intended  in  his  address  to  invite  the  negroes  to  dis- 
obedience to  the  commands  of  their  masters,  when 
he  knew  it  was  a  violation  of  the  government  and 
rules  of  his  Church  that  would  lead  to  disgrace 
and  excommunication.  The  whole  section  shows 
that  the  influence  of  the  ministry  was  only  to  be 
exerted  in  promoting  voluntary  and  gradual  eman- 
cipation of  slaves,  while  the  latter  were  to  be 
encouraged  in  nothing  that  would  lead  to  hostilities 
with  their  owners. 

With  your  permission  I  will  now  examine  with  some 
minuteness  the  charges  in  the  several  counts  contained 
in  this  indictment.  In  the  first  count  the  accused  is 
indicted  for  endeavoring  to  stir  up,  provoke,  instigate, 
and  incite  the  negro  slaves  in  Marj'land  to  commit 
acts  of  mutiny  and  rebellion  in  the  state,  which  if  true 
would  be  a  misdemeanor,  and  would  make  the  trav- 
erser liable  to  punishment.  Let  us  see  what  is  neces- 
sary in  point  of  law  to  constitute  acts  of  mutiny  and 
rebellion,  which  it  is  said  the  traverser  was  endeavor- 
ing to  incite  the  slaves  to  commit;  and  when  you 
have  correct  information  on  this  subject  you  will 


228 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


doubtless,  from  the  facts  disclosed,  pronounce  the 
charge  fraught  with  too  much  folly  to  require  a  se- 
rious argument  to  refute  it.  The  word  "  mutiny"  does 
not  often  come  under  discussion  in  expounding  the 
civil  law  of  a  state ;  but  as  it  has  been  mixed  with 
the  word  "rebellion"  in  this  count  it  shall  receive 
some  notice.  It  means,  then,  to  rise  against  authority, 
to  make  insurrection.  Rebels  or  rebellion  is  ex- 
plained to  us  by  Yattel  as  follows :  "  All  subjects 
unjustly  taking  up  arms  against  the  head  of  a  society 
are  termed  rebels,  whether  their  view  be  to  deprive 
him  of  the  supreme  authority,  or  whether  they  intend 
to  resist  his  commands  in  some  particular  affair,  in 
order  to  impose  conditions  on  him."  From  the  same 
authority  we  learn  what  constitutes  sedition  or  insur- 
rection, which  would  be  included  in  the  meaning  of 
the  words  "mutiny"  and  "rebellion"  in  the  first 
count.  He  says:  "If  the  rage  of  the  malcontents 
be  particularly  leveled  at  the  magistrates,  or  others 
vested  with  public  authority,  and  they  proceed  to 
a  formal  disobedience  or  violent  proceedings,  it  is 
called  a  sedition.  "When  the  evil  spreads,  infecting 
great  numbers  in  the  city  or  provinces,  and  subsists 
in  such  a  manner  that  the  sovereign  is  no  longer 
obeyed,  such  a  disorder  custom  has  more  particularly 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


229 


distinguished  by  the  name  of  insurrection."  (Yattel, 
Book  III,  ch.  xviii,  p.  487.)  The  accusation  is  that 
the  traverser,  being  a  man  of  a  wicked  and  malicious 
disposition,  endeavored,  in  his  sermon  delivered  at 
the  camp-meeting,  to  incite  the  slaves  of  the  state 
to  seize  the  executive  authority,  to  resist  the  com- 
mands thereof  in  order  to  impose  conditions  on  it 
dictated  by  the  slaves.  In  short,  that  he  was 
endeavoring  in  his  sermon  to  produce  a  sudden 
revolution  in  political  affairs  in  the  state,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  negroes,  on  such  conditions  as  they 
(the  negro  rebels)  might  think  proper  to  dictate. 
Need  I  reason  with  you  to  show  the  man  had  no 
such  views  or  design  ?  He  was  preaching  to  near 
five  thousand  whites  and  to  from  three  to  five 
hundred  blacks.  Could  any  person  but  a  madman 
endeavor,  under  such  circumstances,  to  incite  the 
negroes  to  seize  the  government  of  the  state  ?  Such 
a  persuasion  would  instantly  have  ended  in  his  own 
destruction,  the  destruction  of  the  miserable  fugi- 
tives that  would  have  yielded  to  the  crime,  and 
obtained  nothing  for  the  slaves  concerned  in  it  but 
still  greater  agonies  of  distress  for  adding  a  crime 
to  enhance  the  misery  from  which  the  traverser 
seemed  anxious  to  relieve  them.    The  whole  of 


230 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


it  is  too  preposterous  for  a  moment's  serious  con- 
sidei'ation. 

In  the  second  count  of  the  indictment  the  traverser 
is  charged  with  endeavoring  to  stir  up,  provoke, 
instigate,  and  incite  a  great  number  of  slaves  sedi- 
tiously and  wickedly  to  resist  the  lawful  authority 
of  their  masters,  and  to  break  the  peace  of  the  state 
upon  their  masters.  The  count  shows  how  difficult 
the  prosecutoi-s  have  found  it  to  make  out  an  offense 
against  the  laws.  The  word  "seditiously"  has  been 
put  in  this  count  to  give  the  charge  some  appearance 
of  a  crime,  which  count,  it  is  believed,  even  with 
the  word  "seditiously"  in  it,  if  found  true,  would  not 
in  point  of  law  be  sufficient  to  enable  the  court  to 
pass  judgment  against  the  traverser.  To  constitute 
sedition  the  rage  of  the  malcontents  must  be  par- 
ticula/i'ly  at  maghtrates  or  others  "vested 

with  the  public  authority?''  (Vattel,  p.  487.)  If  we 
were  disposed  to  use  hypercriticisni  on  this  count, 
we  would  say,  as  there  is  no  charge  against  the 
traverser  for  endeavoring  to  provoke  the  slaves  to 
acts  of  hostility  against  "magistrates"  or  others 
vested  with  the  "public  authority,"  but  only  against 
masters  who  are  not  magistrates,  and  who  do  not 
share  any  pai-t  of  the  "public  authority,"  there  is 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


231 


no  sedition  charged,  aud,  perhaps,  not  even  a  mis- 
demeanor of  the  lowest  class. 

But  we  do  not  wish  to  screen  an  honest  man  by 
technical  distinctions  and  quibbles ;  we  therefore  ad- 
mit, if  it  was  true  that  the  traverser  did  endeavor  to 
incite  the  slaves  to  break  the  peace  upon  their  mas- 
ters, it  was  highly  reprehensible  in  him  when  he  was 
professing  to  be  the  harbinger  of  concord  on  an 
errand  of  mercy,  and  the  bearer  of  the  heavenly 
news  of  peace  on  earth  aud  good-will  to  men.  Here 
we  are  brought  again  to  the  intent  with  which  he 
delivered  his  sermon,  and  if  we  take  the  usual  crite- 
rion of  judging  of  a  man's  intent  from  what  he  says 
and  does,  it  must  be  manifest  to  you  that  he  is  inno- 
cent of  the  charge  against  him.  In  his  introductory 
prayer  he  displayed  Christian  charity  for  the  entire 
assembly.  He  preached  to  all  the  divine  doctrines 
of  repentance  toward  God  and  faith  in  the  Lord  Je- 
sus Christ ;  and  although  pointed  in  his  discourse 
against  the  evil  of  slavery,  and  sometimes  severe 
upon  bad  masters,  in  the  peroration  of  his  address, 
when  addressing  the  negroes,  he  not  only  gave  them 
the  terrors  of  hell  and  the  whole  law,  if  they  lived 
and  died  in  sin,  but  he  admonished  them,  as  directed 
in  the  canons  of  his  Church,  "  to  render  due  respect 


232  LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 

and  obedience  to  the  commands  and  interests  of 
their  respective  masters."  This  is  proved  by  so 
many  respectable  witnesses  that  no  one  will  attempt 
to  deny  it.  Ifow,  how  can  any  rational  human  being 
who  has  not  his  judgment  perverted  by  prejudice, 
infer  from  this  that  the  traverser  was  seditiously  en- 
deavoring to  provoke  the  negroes  to  break  the  peace 
of  the  state  upon  their  respective  masters,  and  resist 
their  lawful  commands. 

In  the  third  count  of  this  indictment  the  prosecu- 
tion, throwing  off  all  reserve,  charges  the  traverser 
with  endeavoring  in  the  sermon  he  preached  to  stir 
up  the  negroes  "  actually  to  raise  insurrection  and  re- 
bellion in  this  state,  in  contempt  and  in  open  violation 
of  the  laws."  There  is  rather  more  turpitude  in  the 
charge  in  this  count  than  there  is  in  the  charge  in 
the  first  one,  but  in  both  they  are  absurd  enough  to 
secure  their  own  refutation.  And  I  am  satisfied  that 
no  gentleman  on  this  jury  will  believe  for  one  mo- 
ment, from  the  facts  disclosed,  that  the  traverser  was 
endeavoring  in  his  sermon  to  incite  the  slaves  to 
seize  the  government  of  the  state.  Such  stuff  may 
be  palatable  to  men,  who,  from  the  frailty  of  human 
nature,  are  in  truth  pereecuting  a  man  who,  they 
think,  deserves  punishment ;  but  to  you  who  are 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


233 


faithful  and  impartial  triers  of  the  traverser  no  argu- 
ment can  be  necessary  from  me  to  refute  it,  and  I 
shall  therefore  offer  none. 

Let  us  for  a  moment  examine  the  origin  of  negro 
slavery,  and  the  mighty  range  of  mischief  in  a  moral 
point  of  view  continually  resulting  from  it,  and  we 
shall  find  much  to  justify  and  applaud  the  zeal  of  a 
philanthropist  in  his  endeavors  to  remove  it  from  our 
national  character.  In  the  fifteenth  century  the 
boldness  of  enterprise  and  improving  skill  in  naviga- 
tion among  the  Portuguese  led  by  accident  to  the 
discovery  of  the  vast  continent  of  Africa,  washed  by 
the  Atlantic  and  stretching,  apparently  to  them,  with- 
out limits  to  the  south.  Gonzales  Zarco  and  Tristran 
Yaz,  two  gentlemen  of  the  household  of  Henry  TV., 
were  sent  out  and  instructed  by  him  "  to  endeavor 
by  all  means  to  double  Cape  Bojador  and  advance 
farther  toward  the  south.  They  pursued  the  timid 
mode  of  coasting  which  tlien  prevailed  until  a  sud- 
den squall  of  wind  drove  them  by  accident  to  sea, 
where  they  discovered  an  unknown  island,  and  after- 
ward returned  to  Portugal  witli  the  news,  which 
seemed  to  enlarge  the  field  of  discovery,  and  the  next 
year  another  expedition  was  fitted  out  which  discov- 
ered the  vast  continent  of  Africa."   The  improve- 


234 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


ment  in  navigation, -and  the  polish  and  blessings  it  , 
has  been  the  instrument  in  dispensing  by  means  of 
commerce  with  the  rest  of  the  world,  has  carried 
nothing  but  trouble  and  vexation  of  spirit  to  Africa. 
Instead  of  extending  to  the  people  of  that  continent 
the  blessings  of  improved  politics  and  the  comforta- 
ble and  cheering  light  of  the  Christian  religion,  it  has 
given  them  a  monopoly  of  all  the  misery  of  the 
world,  and  it  still  remains  an  "  indelible  reproach 
on  the  name  of  Europeans  that  for  more  than  three 
centuries  their  intercourse  with  the  people  has 
tended  only  to  destroy  their  happiness  and  debase 
their  character."  Toward  the  end  of  the  fifteenth 
century  the  Spaniards,  having  talcen  possession  of  the 
West  Indies,  encouraged  Portuguese  traders  to  bring 
them  slaves  from  Africa.  "  The  same  policy  was 
afterward  pursued  by  the  English,  and  here  began 
the  accursed  slave-trade.  The  arts  of  the  slave  mer- 
chant inflame  the  hostility  of  the  various  tribes, 
heighten  their  ferocity,  and  increase  the  frequency 
of  their  wars  with  each  other,  that  he  may  buy  the 
captives  of  the  victors  like  oxen  in  the  market. 
Many  of  them  are  stolen  and  carried  into  slavery, 
and  otherwise  obtained  by  the  most  fraudulent  and 
indirect  methods ;  and  when  taken  to  a  foreign  mar- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


235 


ket  the  buyer  seems  to  think,  from  habit,  without  fur- 
ther inquiry,  that  their  being  black  and  imported 
from  Africa  are  alone  sufficient  to  fx  them  in  slav- 
ery for  life  and  to  entail  the  same  ruin  upon  their  off- 
spring," The  only  credible  account  extant  of  the 
origin  of  mankind  is  that  which  we  have  in  Scrip- 
ture. And  if  we  acquiesce  in  it  we  must  believe 
that  God  "  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men 
for  to  dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  hath  de- 
termined the  times  before  appointed  and  the  bounds 
of  their  habitation."  Acts  xvii,  26.  We  cannot  reject 
this  upon  "rational  grounds  till  we  have  first  proved, 
either  from  more  authentic  records,  or  from  the  na- 
ture of  things,  that  it  is  not  true."  It  will  not  be 
pretended  that  we  have  any  records  more  authentic, 
and  we  have  no  table  of  genealogy  "  whereby  it  can 
be  made  to  appear  that  negroes  are  not  descended 
from  Adam  and  Eve."  We  must  argue,  therefore, 
from  the  nature  of  the  thing,  if  we  argue  at  all  on  the 
subject ;  and  I  think  there  is  nothing  in  the  nature 
of  the  negro,  in  his  soul  or  in  his  body,  which  may 
not  easily  be  accounted  for  on  the  supposition  that 
he  and  the  whites  are  of  the  same  family.  (Elements 
of  Moral  Science,  p.  222.)  The  negro  then  is  not 
indigenous  to  Africa,  for  the  man  of  learning  and 


I 


236  LITE  OF  JACOB  GaiUBER. 

observation  perceives  the  affinit}''  of  nations  in  tlie 
whole  family  of  men.  The  negro  and  the  white  man 
have  grown  from  the  same  stock,  have  lost  the  same 
favor  of  God  in  paradise  bj  the  crime  of  the  first 
offender,  and  may  be  restored  to  his  favor  again 
through  the  merits  of  the  same  common  Saviour. 
Viewing  this  subject  through  a  Gospel  medium, 
what  a  scene  do  we  behold  ;  one  part  of  a  family  en- 
slaved by  another  part,  entailing  upon  innocent  chil- 
dren a  thralldom"  which  can  only  end  with  life,  and 
at  wliich  the  whites  would  shrink  with  horror  if  it 
were  inflicted  upon  them  or  their  children,  even  for 
a  crime. 

The  traverser,  as  his  Master  once  was,  is  now 
humbled  in  the  furnace  of  affliction,  to  rise  presently 
in  a  splendid  glory  and  triumph  he  little  anticipated. 
In  the  former  part  of  his  life  he  has  been  content  to 
labor  in  the  vineyard  of  Christ  in  obedience  to  his 
call  to  the  ministry.  But  this  prosecution  will  bring 
him  before  the  world  as  a  distinguished  philanthro- 
pist, declaring  no  other  thing  on  this  subject  than 
eminent  philosophers  have  declared  before  him, 
wliose  declarations  and  sentiments,  with  your  per- 
mission, I  will  read  to  you,  beginning  first  with  the 
sentiments  of  Dr.  Beattie : 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


237 


"  Slavery  is  inconsistent  with  the  dearest  and  most 
essential  rights  of  man's  nature ;  it  is  detrimental  to 
virtue  and  industry ;  it  hardens  the  heart  to  those 
tender  sympathies  which  form  the  most  lovely  part 
of  the  human  character ;  it  involves  the  innocent 
in  hopeless  misery  in  order  to  procure  wealth  and 
pleasure  for  the  authors  of  that  misery ;  it  seeks  to 
degrade  into  brutes  beings  whom  the  Lord  of  heaven 
and  earth  endowed  with  rational  souls  and  created 
for  immortality ;  in  short,  it  is  utterly  repugnant  to 
every  principle  of  reason,  religion,  humanity,  and 
conscience ;  and  one  eminent  author  hath  explicitly 
declared  that  he  who  can  seriously  argue  in  vindica- 
tion of  slavery  deserves  no  other  answer  than  the 
stab  of  a  poniard.  To  my  shame  and  sorrow,  and 
to  the  disgrace  of  human  nature,  I  must  confess  that 
slavery  is  of  ancient  date.  Among  savages  it  prob- 
ably took  its  rise,  or  among  men  half  civilized. 
Every  man  worthy  of  the  honor  of  being  a  Briton 
holds  it  in  utter  abomination.  The  ingenious  or  the 
dull,  the  learned  or  the  ignorant,  the  clownish  or 
polite,  every  innocent  man,  without  exception,  has 
as  good  a  right  to  liberty  as  to  life."  Again  the 
same  author:  "Every  generous  mind  considers  slav- 
ery as  worse  than  death,  and  so  in  fact  it  is.  Death 


238 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


affects  the  person  only  who  dies,  and  who  must  soon 
die  at  any  rate ;  but  slavery  may  extend  its  baleful 
influence  to  the  innocent  children  of  the  enslaved 
person,  and  even  to  their  descendants."  Again  the 
same  author :  "  It  is  impossible  for  a  considerate  and 
unprejudiced  mind  to  think  of  slavery  without  horror ; 
that  a  man,  a  rational  and  immortal  being,  should  be 
treated  on  the  same  footing  with  a  beast,  or  piece  of 
wood,  and  bought  and  sold  and  entirely  subjected  to 
the  will  of  another  man  whose  equal  he  is  by  nature, 
and  whose  superior  he  may  be  in  virtue  and  under- 
standing ;  and  all  for  no  crime,  biat  merely  because 
he  differs  from  us  in  the  shape  of  his  nose,  the  color 
of  his  skin,  or  the  size  of  his  lips.  If  this  be  equitable, 
or  excusable,  or  pardonable,  it  is  in  vain  to  talk  any 
longer  of  the  eternal  distinctions  of  right  and  wrong, 
truth  and  falsehood,  good  and  evil."  Again  the 
same  author:  "This  [meaning  the  practice  of  slavery] 
therefore  is  a  most  infamous  business ;  and  though 
slavery  cannot  all  at  once  be  abolished,  it  ought  to  be, 
and  may  be,  and  probably  will  be  discontinued  grad- 
ually." Again  the  same  author :  "  Who  are  they 
who  tempt  those  unhappy  people,  by  every  sort  of 
bribery  that  can  be  supposed  to  have  influence  on 
them,  to  plunder  and  betray  every  man  his  neighbor 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


239 


in  order  to  get  together  a  mnltitude  of  human  vic- 
tims to  answer  the  yearly  demand?  Are  not  Euro- 
peans and  European  planters  the  first  movers  in  this 
dreadful  business  ?  Does  it  then  become  them  to 
charge  Africa  with  the  whole  guilt  of  a  commerce 
which,  but  for  their  cunning  cruelty  and  avarice, 
would  not  now  exist,  and  would  never  have  existed  ? 
This  sort  of  casuistry  may  justly  be  termed  diabolical; 
for  it  is  thus  that  the  most  malevolent  of  all  beings  is 
said  first  to  tempt  and  corrupt  and  then  to  accuse."  > 
Again  the  same  author :  "  He  who  buys  a  human 
being  with  a  view  to  reduce  him  to  the  condition  of 
a  wretched  negro  slave,  does  everything  in  his 
power  to  destroy  the  soul  and  body  of  that  human 
being  in  order  to  get  money  for  himself."  Again 
the  same  author:  "What  then  shall  we  say  of  the 
condition  of  a  negro  slave  ?  Let  us  make  his  case 
our  own,  and  ask  ourselves  whether  death  or  it  be 
the  more  desirable.  To  be  stolen,  or  decoyed,  or 
forced  from  our  native  country  for  no  crime  of  ours, 
and  by  those  we  have  never  injured  ;  to  be  stowed, 
like  lumber,  amid  darkness  and  death  perhaps,  and 
putrefaction,  in  the  lower  decks  of  a  ship,  sailing  we 
know  not  whither,  to  be  stripped  naked  and  sold  like 
beasts  in  a  market;  to  be  driven  away  by  the  scourge 


240 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


of  the  overseer  into  hopeless  slavery  in  a  strange 
land,  where  we  find  thousands  of  our  countrymen  in 
the  same  circumstances ;  to  be  compelled  to  labor, 
with  little  or  no  intermission  or  shelter,  under  the 
burning  sun  of  a  tropical  climate ;  to  be  ourselves 
punished,  and  see  our  friends  and  innocent  children 
punished,  with  unrelenting  severity,  for  a  slight 
ofiense,  or  merely  to  gratify  the  unmeaning  rage  of 
a  merciless  oppressor;  to  be  subjected  to  laws  by 
which  we  are  declared  to  be  brutish  slaves ;  to  know 
that  the  same  destiny  awaits  our  posterity,  and  that 
death  alone  will  deliver  us  and  them  from  the  horrors 
of  this  condition  ;  to  see  our  companions  dying  round 
us  every  day  in  consequence  of  the  miseries  they  un- 
dergo, and,  what  is  worst  of  all,  to  be  obliged  to 
spend  our  lives  in  the  service  of  our  tyrants;  are 
these  desirable  circumstances?  are  they  likely  to 
make  any  rational  being  happy  ?  are  they  not  worse 
than  a  thousand  deaths  ?"  Again  the  same  author : 
"It  is  well  observed  by  Homer,  whose  knowledge  of 
the  human  heart  no  person  who  understands  him 
will  ever  call  in  question,  tliat  'when  a  man  is 
made  a  slave  he  loses  from  that  day  the  half  of  his 
virtue.'  And  Longinus,  quoting  the  same  passage, 
affirms  that  'slavery,  however  mild,  may  still  bo 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


241 


called  the  prison  of  the  soul  and  a  public  dungeon.' 
And  Tacitus  remarks  that  '  even  wild  animals  lose 
their  spirit  when  deprived  of  their  freedom.'  '  Slav- 
ery,' says  Montesquieu,  '  makes  the  master  insensi- 
bly neglect  every  moral  virtue,  and  become  proud, 
passionate,  hard-hearted,  violent,  and  cruel.'"  Again 
the  same  author  :  "  With  all  the  advantages  we  have 
derived  from  philosophy,  religion,  and  the  manners 
of  civilized  life,  if  we  were  to  suppose  our  country 
invaded,  and  our  rights  violated  by  African  negroes, 
as  cruelly  as  their  rights  are  violated  by  some  Euro- 
pean slave  merchants  and  planters,  we  should  say  of 
them  with  truth  that  they  were  such  barbarians  as  to 
deserve  at  our  hands  no  other  return  than  final  exterm- 
ination. And  if  our  power  were  equal  to  our 
wishes  and  privileges,  and  if  our  deliverance  could 
be  effected  by  no  other  means,  we  should  arm  our- 
selves with  the  rights  of  nature,  and  sweep  our  de- 
stroyers from  the  face  of  th6  earth.  And  if  we  did 
so  who  would  blame  us?" 

I  will  next  introduce  the  opinions  of  Mr.  Paley. 
Writing  on  the  African  slave-trade  he  observes : 
"  But  defect  of  right  in  the  first  purchase  is  the  least 
crime  with  which  the  traffic  is  chargeable.  The 

natives  are  excited  to  war  and  mutual  depredation 

16 


242 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


for  the  sake  of  supplying  their  contracts,  or  furnish- 
ing the  market  with  slaves.  With  this  the  wicked- 
ness begins.  The  slaves,  torn  away  from  parents, 
wives,  children ;  from  their  friends  and  companions, 
their  fields  and  flocks,  their  home  and  country ;  are 
transported  to  the  European  settlements  in  America, 
with  no  other  accommodation  on  ship-board  than 
what  is  provided  for  brutes." 

I  will  now,  gentlemen,  introduce  to  you  the  senti- 
ments of  Judge  Tucker,  of  Virginia,  upon  the  subject 
of  slavery,  in  which  you  will  find  this  distinguished 
judge,  mourning  over  his  native  land  for  this  national 
sin,  still  more  pathetic,  and  with  a  point  more 
severe,  than  can  be  found  in  the  discourse  of  the 
traverser.  The  judge  begins  :  "  Among  the  blessings 
which  the  Almighty  hath  showered  down  on  these 
states,  there  is  a  large  portion  of  the  bitterest  draught 
that  ever  flowed  from  the  cup  of  affliction.  AVhile 
America  hath  been  the  land  of  promise  to  Europeans 
and  their  descendants,  it  hath  been  the  vale  of  death 
to  millions  of  the  wretched  sons  of  Africa.  The  genial 
light  of  liberty,  which  hath  here  shone  with  un- 
rivaled luster  on  the  former,  liath  yielded  no  comfort 
to  tlie  latter;  but  to  them  hath  proved  a  pillar  of 
darkness,  while  it  hath  conducted  the  former  to  tlie 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE.  243 

most  enviable  state  of  human  existence.  While  we 
were  offering  up  vows  at  the  shrine  of  liberty,  and 
sacrificing  hecatombs  upon  her  altars ;  while  we 
swore  irreconcilable  hostility  to  her  enemies,  and 
hurled  defiance  in  their  faces ;  while  we  adjured  the 
God  of  hosts  to  witness  our  resolution  to  live  free  or 
die,  and  imprecated  curses  on  their  heads  who  refused 
to  unite  with  us  in  establishing  the  empire  of  free- 
dom, we  were  imposing  upon  our  fellow-men,  who 
differ  in  complexion  from  us,  a  slavery  ten  thousand 
times  more  cruel  than  the  utmost  extremity  of  those 
grievances  and  oppressions  of  which  we  complained. 
Had  we  turned  our  eyes  inwardly  when  we  suppli- 
cated the  Father  of  mercies  to  aid  the  injured  and 
oppressed ;  when  we  invoked  the  Author  of  right- 
eousness to  attest  the  purity  of  our  motives  and  the 
justice  of  our  cause,  and  implored  the  God  of  battles 
to  aid  our  exertions  in  its  defense,  should  we  not 
have  stood  more  self-convicted  than  the  contrite  pub- 
lican? Should  we  not  have  left  our  gift  upon  the 
altar,  that  we  might  be  first  reconciled  to  our  breth- 
ren whom  we  held  in  bondage  ?  Should  we  not  have 
loosed  their  chains  and  broken  their  fetters,  or,  if  the 
difficulties  and  dangers  of  such  an  experiment  pro- 
hibited the  attempt  during'  the  convulsions  of  a  revo- 


244 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK. 


lution,  is  it  not  our  duty  to  embrace  the  fix-st  moment 
of  constitutional  health  and  vigor  to  effectuate  so 
desirable  an  object,  and  to  remove  from  us  a  stigma 
with  which  our  enemies  will  never  fail  to  upbraid  us, 
nor  our  consciences  to  reproach  us?  Our  forefathers 
Lave  sown  the  seeds  of  an  evil  which,  like  a  leprosy, 
hath  descended  upon  their  posterity  with  accumu- 
lated rancor,  visiting  the  sins  of  the  fathers  upon 
succeeding  generations.  It  is  a  tyrannical  and  iniq- 
uitous policy  which  holds  so  many  human  creatures 
in  a  state  of  grievous  bondage."  And  again  the 
same  judge  :  "  But  if  the  voice  of  reason,  justice,  and 
humanity  be  not  stifled  by  sordid  avarice  or  unfeeling 
tyranny,  it  would  be  easy  to  convince  even  those 
who  have  entertained  erroneous  notions,  that  the  right 
of  one  man  over  another  is  neither  founded  in  nature 
nor  sound  policy.  "Will  not  our  posterity  curse  the 
days  of  their  nativity  with  all  the  anguish  of  Job? 
Will  they  not  execrate  the  memory  of  those  ancestoi*s 
who,  having  it  in  their  power  to  avert  evil,  have, 
like  their  first  parents,  entailed  a  cui-se  upon  all  fu- 
ture generations  ?  What  a  blood-stained  code  must 
that  be,  which  is  calculated  for  the  restraint  of  mill- 
ions held  in  bondage !  Such  must  our  unhappy 
country  exhibit  within  a  century,  unless  we  are  both 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


245 


wise  and  just  enough  to  avert  from  posterity  the 
calamity  and  reproach  which  are  otherwise  un- 
avoidable. 

Before  I  close  with  the  opinions  of  eminent  men, 
I  will  give  you  those  of  Mr.  Jetferson  on  the  subject 
of  slavery.  For  correct  sentiments  and  opinions  in 
political  philosophy,  it  is  believed  the  witnesses  for 
the  prosecution  consider  this  distinguished  American 
unrivaled ;  and  when  you  are  informed  of  the  free- 
dom with  which  he  discussed  the  subject  of  negro 
slaveiy,  you  will  at  least  be  surprised  that  an  exam- 
ple so  high  could  not  afford  excuse  enough  for  the 
.  preacher  to  save  liim  from  the  ignominy  of  a  felon. 
This  distinguished  patriot  observes  :  "  It  is  a  problem 
which  I  give  to  the  master  to  solve,  whether  the 
religious  precepts  against  the  violation  of  property 
were  not  framed  for  him  as  well  as  his  slave  ?  and 
whether  ^he  slave  may  not  as  justifiably  take  a  little 
from  one  who  has  taken  all  from  him,  as  he  may  slay 
one  who  would  slay  him  ?"  The  above-  observation, 
with  a  little  transposition  of  words,  gives  you  the 
following  sentiment :  "  That  a  negro  slave  has  as 
much  right,  according  to  the  law  of  nature,  to  steal  a 
little  from  his  master,  as  his  master  has  to  take  all 
his  liberty  from  him."    Again  the  same  author,  re- 


246 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


marking  on  the  liberty  of  the  negroes,  observes : 
"  That  they  are  not  to  be  violated  but  wi*th  the  wrath 
of  God.  Indeed,"  he  says,  "  I  tremble  for  my  coun- 
try when  I  reflect  that  God  is  just ;  that  his  justice 
cannot  sleep  forever;  that,  considering  numbers, 
nature,  and  natural  means  only,  a  revolution  of  the 
wheel  of  fortune  and  exchange  of  situation  is  among 
possible  events ;  that  it  may  become  probable  by 
supernatural  interference!  The  Almighty  has  no 
attribute  that  takes  side  with  us  in  such  a  contest." 

Jefferson  and  Tucker  reside  in  the  state  of  Vir- 
ginia, one  of  the  principal  negro  states ;  and  although 
they  haver  declared  their  sentiments  on  the  subject 
with  more  freedom  than  the  traverser,  and  these 
sentiments  may,  by  reading,  be  made  known  to 
the  negroes  of  that  state,  and  may,  in  some  remote 
possible  degree,  possess  seeds  of  mischief,  yet  as  they 
were  written  with  innocent  views,  to  maintain  an 
argument,  they  have  lost  no  popularity  by  it,  but  on 
the  contrary  they  have,  with  the  good-will  of  their 
fellow-citizens,  filled  some  very  high  posts  of  honor 
and  profit.  Suppose  a  speaker  in  a  political  or 
religious  harangue  against  slavery  should,  to  effect 
his  purpose  of  convincing  his  audience,  read  the 
extracts  just  quoted  and  comment  on  them  in  the 


LIFE  OF  JACOiB'  GRtlBER.' 


247 


hearing  of  slaves,  ought  the  bare  circumstance  of 
the  slaves  listening  to  him,  though  he  knew  it,  to  be 
received  as  evidence  of  a  criminal  intent  ?  Yon 
will  doubtless,  gentlemen,  at  once  say,  it  ought  not. 
Good  men  might  differ  in  opinion  as  to  the  propriety 
of  discussing  such  a  subject  in  plain  language  in  the 
presence  of  slaves ;  but  no  good  and  wise  man  could 
hesitate  in  declaring  that  any  attempt  to  arraign  the 
speaker  as  a  criminal  for  such  an  exercise  of  the 
liberty  of  speech,  to  punish  him  as  for  a  crime 
because  his  prosecutors  did  not  like  his  matter  or 
his  manner,  would  be  unauthorized  by  law,  and  if 
sanctioned  by  judicial  authority,  would  introduce 
among  us  a  despotism  greatly  to  be  deplored. 

The  prosecutors  seem  to  think  that  the  criminal 
intent  is  to  be  found  because  the  preacher  was  vehe- 
ment in  his  manner.  Dr.  Finley,  one  of  the  witness- 
es for  the  state,  informs  yon  that  he  has  heard  the 
traverser  preach  often ;  that  he  is  usually  animated, 
and  was  not  more  so  than  common  when  the  sermon 
in  question  was  delivered.  I  confess  to  you,  sire,  that 
my  sensibility  is  greatly  awakened  on  this  occasion. 
The  traverser  holds  a  rank  in  his  Church  second 
to  the  bishop.  He  is  my  pastor  and  friend,  with 
whom  I  have  had  an  acquaintance  for  several  years. 


248 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETJBEK. 


He  is  a  blunt,  plain,  honest-hearted  man,  in  whom 
there  is  no  disposition  to  use  guile  enough  to  evade 
the  intrigues  of  his  enemies.  In  his  accusation  Zion 
is  wounded  and  the  whole  Church  in  tears,  and  he 
waits  with  his  surrounding  friends  to  be  delivered  by 
you  from  the  furnace  of  affliction. 

After  Mr.  Pigman  concluded,  Mr.  Taney,  in  a 
speech  of  about  an  hour's  continuance,  with  his 
usual  eloquence  and  zeal,  made  a  most  effectual  and 
conclusive  argument  to  the  jury  on  the  part  of  Mr. 
Gruber.  After  Mr.  Taney  concluded,  the  jury,  wish- 
ing to  have  some  conversation  on  the  subject  in 
private,  retired  from  the  box,  but  immediately 
returned  again,  and  answering  to  the  usual  call  of 
the  clerk,  pronounced,  through  their  foreman,  a 
verdict  of  Not  Guilty. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


249 


CHAPTER  YII. 

Rev.  David  Martiii  —  Testimony  of  the  Bible  —  Traffic  in  Slaves  —  Gru- 
ber's  Sermon  at  Camp-meeting  — Different  kinds  of  Hearers — Eepubli- 
can  Slaveholders  —  History  of  Arrest  and  Trial  —  Eeflections  —  Eeview 
of  the  Trial  —  Lawyers — Liefficiency  and  Uncertainty  of  Law  —  Love 
of  Money  —  Conference  —  Bishop  Eoberts  —  Exercise  of  Episcopal 
Functions  —  Bishop's  Cabinet — The  Way  Appointments  are  now 
made  —  Eight  of  Choice  —  Frederic  Circuit — Eest  Week  —  Incident 
illustrating  the  Power  of  Bigotry. 

Having  learned  that  the  Rev.  David  Martin  intended 
publishing  the  trial,  Gruber  wrote  him  as  follows : 
"  As  you  are  about  to  publish  my  trial,  which  has 
been  considered  a  new  thing  under  the  sun,  I  think 
it  my  duty  to  state  a  few  things,  which  you  may  pub- 
lish if  you  deem  proper,  for  the  information  of  those 
who  are  anxious  to  see  and  hear  old  as  well  as  new 
things : 

"  I  am  a  native  of  Pennsylvania.  My  father  and 
mother  were  both  born  in  that  state.  I  received  my 
education  there.  I  experienced  religion  there,  etc. 
I  learned  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures  when  I  was  a 
little  boy.  It  was  then  a  custom  to  read  them  in 
schools,  which  is  not  now  the  fashion  in  some  parts. 


250 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


I  will  put  down  a  few  passages  wliicli  I  read,  and 
they  are  still  in  the  Bible ;  but  you  and  the  public 
may  determine  how  far  many  of  our  great  and  little* 
people  conform  unto  them. 

"  The  law  of  God  says,  Exodus  xxi,  16 :  '  He  that 
stealeth  a  man  and  selleth  him,  or  if  he  be  found  in 
his  hand,  he  shall  surely  be  put  to  death.'  Again, 
Deut.  xxiv,  7 :  '  If  a  man  be  found  stealing  any  of  his 
brethren  of  the  children  of  Israel,  and  maketh  mer- 
chandise of  him,  or  selleth  him ;  then  that  thief  shall 
die.'  'Thou  shalt  not  kill,  thou  shalt  not  steal.'  This 
law,  in  the  comprehension  of  the  Israelites,  solely 
prohibits  man-theft — detaining  persons  in  perpetual 
bondage.  '  Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  witness  against 
thy  neighbor.'  No  man  can  claim  and  possess  a 
slave  as  property  until  he  has  virtually  sworn  that 
men,  women,  and  children  are  brutes.  'Thou  shalt 
tfot  covet  thy  neighbor's  house.  Thou  shalt  not  covet 
thy  neighbor's  wife,'  etc.  Exodus  xx,  13.  Again  it 
is  written,  'Thou  shalt  not  defraud  thy  neighbor, 
nor  rob  him.'  Leviticus  xix,  13.  'Thou  shalt  not 
oppress  him  who  is  poor  and  needy,  lest  he  cry 
against  thee  unto  the  Lord,  and  it  be  a  sin  unto  thee.' 
Deut.  xxiv,  14,  15. 

"I  will  give  you  a  few  more  passages  out  of  the 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRT7BEE. 


251 


New  Testament;  some  may  read  your  publication 
who  do  not  read  the  Scripture  with  much  attention : 
'Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall  obtain 
mercy.'  Matt,  v,  7.  'Therefore,  all  things  whatso- 
ever ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even 
80  to  them ;  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets.' 
Matt,  vii,  12.  'Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  [that 
is,  all  men]  as  thyself.'  Matt,  xxii,  39.  'Seeing  he 
[God]  giveth  to  all  life,  and  breath,  and  all  things ; 
and  hath  made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of  men  for  to 
dwell  on  all  the  face  of  the  earth,'  etc.  Acts  xvii,  25, 
26.  'Be  kindly  affectioned  one  to  another,  with 
brotherly  love.'  Rom.  xii,  10.  '  Love  worketh  no  ill 
to  his  neighbor ;  therefore  love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the 
law.'  Rom.  xiii,  10.  '  Ye  are  bought  with  a  price.' 
1  Cor.  vii,  23.  '  And,  ye  masters,  do  the  same  things 
unto  them,  forbearing  threatening:  knowing  that 
your  Master  also  is  in  heaven ;  neither  is  there  re- 
spect of  pereons  with  him.'  Eph.  vi,  9.  '  Masters,  give 
\into  your  servants  that  which  is  just  and  equal ; 
knowing  that  ye  also  have  a  Master  in  heaven.'  Col. 
iv,  1.  'Behold,  the  hire  of  the  laborers  who  have 
reaped  down  your  fields,  which  is  of  you  kept  back 
by  fraud,  crieth ;  and  the  cries  of  them  which  have 
reaped  are  entered  into  the  ears  of  the  Lord  of  Sa- 


252  LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 

• 

Daoth.'  James  v,  4.  '  The  merchants  [of  beasts  and 
sheep,  and  horses  and  chariots,  and  slaves  and  sonls 
of  men]  shall  stand  afar  off,  weeping  and  wailing.' 
Rev.  xviii,  15,  etc.,  etc. 

"  These  passages  need  little  or  no  comment  to  any 
who  wish  to  see  what  is  right,  and  that  traffic  in 
slaves  is  totally  irreconcilable  with  the  principles  of 
justice  and  humanity,  not  to  say  Christianity. 

"  As  a  believer  in  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  a  minis- 
ter of  the  Gospel,  I  attended  the  camp-meeting  in 
Washington  county  in  August  last,  and  on  the  Sab- 
bath, after  two  sermons  were  preached,  and  a  short 
intermission,  (not  succeeding  in  getting  a  preacher  to 
preach  the  third,)  I  preached  the  s^'mon  of  which 
you  have  the  substance,  or  the  leading  ideas;  in 
which  I  strove  to  give  a  portion  to  every  one,  either 
in  season  or  out  of  season ;  so  I  drew  the  Gospel  bow 
at  a  venture,  quite  willing  that  every  shot  that  missed 
should  go  for  nothing.  I  desired  to  do  good,  to 
gather  up  the  fragments  that  nothing  should  be  lost; 
but  to  my  grief,  I  found  some  did  not  like  the  man- 
ner in  which  I  served  out  the  different  portions; 
some  went  away  grumbling  and  talking;  others, 
when  they  found  their  portion  so  honestly  allowed 
them  even  by  their  neighbors,  looked  rather  cross ; 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


253 


not  well  pleased ;  resolved  not  to  hear  or  pay  any 
more  attention.  Some  heard  or  recollected  nothing 
of  the  sermon  except  some  words  which  I  never  said. 
Many  who  intended  to  prove  all,  and  hold  fast  what 
was  good,  heard  me  out,  and  have  not  forgotten  the 
text,  nor  a  considerable  part  of  the  sermon ;  yet  I 
labored  I'ather  under  a  disadvantage,  being  a  stranger 
in  the  place.  I  knew  that  I  was  in  a  free  country, 
(free  to  all  that  were  not  slaves,)  but  I  did  not  know 
that  1  was  in  the  very  county  where  liberty  and 
independence  were  in  bloom,  so  that  even  the  state 
was  to  be  blessed  with  a  governor  that  grew  in  it. 
As  for  politics,  you  know,  I  never  meddle  with  them 
in  my  administrations  or  discourses ;  for,  to  be  can- 
did, I  don't  understand  some  of  their  phrases.  I 
have  heard  of  republican  slaveholders,  but  I  under- 
stand no  more  what  it  means  than  sober  drunkards. 

"  It  happened  so  that  I  dropped  a  few  hints  about 
slavery  or  oppression ;  some  of  the  great  men  went 
and  got  a  state  warrant  for  me,  a  copy  of  which  you 
have  to  pubhsh.  About  two  months  after  the  war- 
rant was  issued  I  was  arrested  at  a  quarterly  meeting 
in  Williamsport.  I  gave  security  for  my  appearance 
at  court,  to  be  held  in  J^"ovember,  as  the  recog- 
nizance will  show.    I  was  arrested  for  felony,  and 


254 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


had  to  give  security  for  one  hundred  doUare. 
With  serious  inconvenience,  trouble,  and  expense,  I 
had  to  leave  or  give  up  my  regular  course  of  appoint- 
ments and  attend  the  court  in  Hagerstown.  I 
appeared  the  first  day,  heard  the  charge  given  to 
the  grand  jury,  which  was  short  but  full  of  meaning ; 
I  suppose  much  better  understood  by  the  juroi-s  than 
by  me,  who  was  not  accustomed  to  hear  such 
charges.  I  waited  from  day  to  day,  and  you  may 
be  surprised  to  hear  that  I  had  to  wait  more  than 
two  weeks  before  they  found  a  bill  against  me.  In 
this  time  they  surely  had  time  to  get  slaveholders, 
overseers.  Churchmen,  Methodists,  free-thinkera,  half- 
thinkers,  and  no-thinkers  to  bear  witness  against  me 
about  the  rebellion  and  insurrection.  So  abundant 
and  so  clear  was  the  evidence  in  this  dark  business 
before  the  grand  jury,  that  after  two  weeks'  sitting 
twelve  or  thirteen  could  find  a  true  bill  without  suf- 
fering any  statement  to  be  made  by  some  of  their 
body ;  for  you  must  know  there  was  near  a  half 
dozen  of  men  on  the  grand  jury  who  had  heard  my 
sermon,  but  they  were  not  allowed  to  say  what  they 
saw  and  heard  themselves.  The  indictment  came 
out  for  misdemeanor,  mutiny,  inciting  rebellion,  diso- 
hedience,  etc.,  as  you  will  find  in  the  copy  of  the 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


255 


indictment  which  jou  have.  I  think  it  rather  a  for- 
tunate circumstance  that  the  indictment  did  not 
include  or  mention  an  intention  to  effect  or  bring 
about  a  resurrection  among  the  slaves  who  had  been 
dead  for  years,  for  this  might  have  been,  put  in  with 
as  much  truth  as  either  of  the  other  counts, 

"As  soon  as  they  brought  in  the  true  bill  I 
resolved  to  remove  it  out  of  the  county,  for  which  I 
had  a  sufficient  reason.  In  removing  my  trial  I  had 
the  privilege  granted  to  take  it  to  Frederic  county. 
I  gave  security  of  four  hundred  dollara  for  my 
appearance  on  the  first  Monday  of  March.  I  ap- 
peared, and  on  the  second  day  had  about  twenty 
witnesses  ready;  but  the  state's  evidences  did  not 
get  ready,  at  least  the  trial  did  not  come  on  till  the 
tenth  day,  from  which  time  you  have  all  the  pro- 
ceedings, which  you  may  publish  as  full  and  as  clear 
as  you  can,  so  that  my  friends  and  enemies  may  see 
this  new  thing  under  the  sun  and  under  the  moon, 
and  learn  to  understand  a  matter  before  they  pass 
sentence ;  for  I  am  sorry  to  say  I  have  heard  of  some 
in  your  county  who  were  very  free  in  speaking  and 
liberal  in  their  way  of  blessing  me :  some  wished  me 
hung,  some  sent  to  the  penitentiary,  others  would 
have  been  almost  satisfied  if  I  had  got  thirty-nine 


256 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


lashes,  perhaps  altogether,  if  they  had  had  the  honor 
of  laying  them  on.  What  a  pity  that  such  don't 
move  to  Washington  county  to  get  into  office. 

"  I  have  only  one  remark  more  to  make  and  I  am 
done.  Some  have  been  in  hopes  that  I  had  learned 
a  useful  lesson  in  my  trial.  But  whatever  I  have 
learned,  I  can  assure  you  I  have  not  yet  learned  to 
call  good  evil.,  or  evil  good.  I  hope  while  I  keep  my 
senses  I  shall  consider  involuntary  perpetual  slavery 
miserable  injustice,  a  system  of  robbery  and  theft. 
I  hope  I  never  shall  rank  men,  women,  and  children 
with  horses,  and  cows,  and  property,  and  counte- 
nance or  justify  such  sales  and  merchandise.  May 
our  merciful  God  save  us  from  this  sin  and  reproach, 
and  let  every  honest  man  say  amen !" 

Having  passed  through  the  fiery  ordeal  of  tlie  law 
for  what  he  considered  preaching  the  Gospel,  it  was 
natural  that  he  sliould  indulge  in  some  reflections. 
We  find  the  following  amusing  account  of  his  trial 
and  the  attendant  circumstances  in  his  journal: 

"  I  had  four  lawyers ;  most  of  them  politely 
pleaded  my  cause  without  fee  or  reward.  There 
was  a  great  crowd,  curiosity,  and  excitement  at  the 
court ;  many  wanted  to  see  the  criminal  a  candidate 
for  the  penitentiary ;  some  to  hear  witnesses ;  many 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER.  257 

to  hear  the  lawj-ers  plead,  and  the  charge  of  the 
judge;  and  finally,  the  verdict  of  the  jury,  how  long 
the  prisoner  should  remain  in  the  penitentiary,  as 
the  crime  was  said  to  be  an  attempt  to  raise  an 
insurrection  among  the  slaves  to  rise  against  their 
masters,  etc.  My  lawyers  spoke  well ;  but  it  was 
thought  by  many  that  after  the  witnesses  were  all 
heard  the  jury  could  have  decided  without  leaving 
the  box.  But  all  must  be  done  in  form  and  order ; 
there  was  no  hurry,  time  was  taken,  long  speeches 
made,  the  charge  delivered,  the  jury  retired,  (not 
very  long,)  and  returned  soon.  The  foreman  spoke 
the  verdict :  N^ot  guilty.  So  I  got  clear  of  my  ene- 
mies, but  not  of  some  of  my  friends ;  they  had 
promised  my  chief  lawyer,  whom  they  employed 
without  my  knowledge  or  request,  two  hundred 
dollars.  They  kept  close  to  me  till  I  was  pronounced 
not  guilty ;  so  I  was  clear,  and  they  quickly  cleared 
themselves,  and  left  me  to  pay  what  they  had  prom- 
ised. Several  right-hand  friends  and  true  thought  it 
hard  that  I  should  give  all  my  allowance  for  two 
years'  hard  labor  to  try  a  case  in  court  more  for  their 
benefit  than  my  own  ;  so  they  gave  me  a  little  assist- 
ance, a  few  dollars.    But  what  was  a  mistake  for 

certain,  after  all  was  done  it  was  reported,  and  per- 

17 


258 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


haps  believed  by  some,  that  my  chief  lawyer  had 
pleaded  my  cause  gratis;  but  I  know  better;  I  know 
who  paid  him  two  hundred  dollars,  and  I  know  too 
out  of  whose  pocket  by  far  the  most  of  it  came. 

"  Solomon  said,  '  He  that  increaseth  knowledge 
increaseth  sorrow.'  I  am  not  the  happier  or  richer 
for  some  knowledge  I  have.  Let  me  write  a  little 
more  about  this  lawsuit.  Some  advised  me  to  sue 
for  damages ;  others  said,  that  would  look  like  seek- 
ing revenge.  I  was  cleared,  and  should  love  and 
pray  for  my  enemies.  One  of  the  lawyers  advised 
me  to  bring  a  suit ;  that  heavy  damages  could*  bo 
recovered ;  to  engage  Lawyer  Pincknej',  one  of  the 
greatest  lawyers  in  the  state,  and  take  it  to  the  Su- 
preme Court.  I  requested  him  to  speak  to  Lawyer 
Pinckney,  and  asked  him  what  he  would  charge  or 
take  to  carry  this  case  through  court.  Lawyer 
Pinckney's  answer  was,  he  would  give  his  services 
without  fee  or  reward;  that  he  took  nothing  from 
ministers. 

"  My  lawyer  stated  this  to  me,  and  said,  now  we 
Could  make  these  fellows  smart  who  wanted  to  send 
you  to  the  penitentiary;  tliis  will  do  for  them.  Now 
I  thought  was  a  time  to  try  the  lawyer,  so  I  told 
him  ray  business  was  with  the  Gospel.    But  he 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


259 


might  try  the  law ;  he  might  bring  the  suit  for  dam- 
ages, get  Lawyer  Pinckney,  and  whoever  he  thought 
proper,  as  he  was  acquainted  with  the  wliole  matter ; 
and  I  would  agree  that  he  should  have  half  the  dam- 
ages they  would  recover ;  the  other  half  should  be 
applied  to  meeting-houses  for  the  benefit  of  the 
district ;  I  did  not  want  one  dollar  of  it.  The  lawyer 
scratched  his  head,  and  said  heavy  damages  could 
be  recovered,  and  I  had  best  agree  to  pay  a  certain 
sum  to  the  lawyers  to  bring  and  carry  on  the  suit.  I 
said,  Now  I  see ;  though  some  say  ten  thousand  dol- 
lars or  more  can  be  recovered,  yet  you  would  have 
me  pay  out  of  my  own  pocket  I  know  not  how  much, 
rather  than  trust  for  half  the  damages  to  be  recov- 
ered, though  I  want  or  would  take  nothing  for  my 
benefit.    The  court  had  no  more  trouble  about  me. 

"If  I  should  get  into  any  diflSculty,  and  had  to 
apply  to  a  lawyer,  and  he  should  advise  me  to  take  it 
to  court,  I  would  •  ask  him  how  much  I  must  give 
him  to  gain  my  cause.  When  he  names  the  sum  I 
will  agree  to  give  it.  But  he  must  agree  to  have 
nothing  if  he  does  not  gain  it,  but  loses  it.  If  he 
objects  to  this  agreement,  I  object  to  taking  it  to 
court ;  so  here  is  an  end  of  that  trial." 

It  will  be  seen  from  the  above  that  he  became 


260 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRITBEK. 


fully  satisfied  that  whatever  the  law  might  do  for  a 
man's  character  it  was  not  very  well  calculated  to 
benefit  his  finances ;  and  although  a  man's  money  is 
"trash"  when  compared  with  his  "good  name,"  yet 
the  wa7it  of  it  may  sometimes  prove  almost  as  great 
an  evil  as  the  love  of  it,  and  lead  to  equally  disastrous 
results.  TJp  to  this  time  he  was  an  unmarried  man ; 
his  wants  were  few,  and  as  he  practiced  the  most 
rigid  economy  he  was  enabled  from  his  salary,  small 
as  it  was,  to  lay  up  something  in  store  for  bad 
weather.  It  was  perhaps  the  fact  of  his  ability 
to  pay  the  lawyer's  fee,  rather  than  any  want  -of 
benevolence  on  the  part  of  his  friends,  that  caused 
them  to  withhold  assistance.  Good  advice  and  well- 
wishing  cost  but  little,  and  friends  are  not  wanting 
to  volunteer  both  in  the  time  of  trial;  and  it  often 
happens  that  those  who  are  the  most  benevolent  in 
this  line  are  found  most  sadly  wanting  when  material 
aid  is  necessary. 

At  the  conclusion  of  his  trial  he  hastened  on  to 
conference,  which  was  held  at  Alexandria  on  the 
10th  day  of  March,  1819.  Having  completed  his 
quadrennial  term  on  the  Carlisle  district,  he  did  not 
feel  anxious  to  take  another  district.  Bishop  M'Ken- 
dree  had  spoken  to  him  previously  about  taking  a 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


261 


transfer  to  the  Missouri  Conference.  Bishop  Roberts, 
who  presided  at  this  conference,  informed  hiin  that 
there  was  an  appointment  left  for  him  in  the  Missouri 
Conference,  but  he  dissuaded  him  from  going,  as  he 
had  seen  quite  hard  times  in  traveling  over  the 
roughest  portions  of  the  Baltimore  and  Philadelphia 
Conferences,  and  thought  some  other  preacher  whose 
service  had  not  been  so  hard  should  be  sent  in  his 
place.  Gruber  felt  perfectly  willing  to  submit  to  the 
judgment  of  his  superiors  in  the  ministry,  and  rarely, 
if  ever,  entered  into  any  negotiations  in  reference  to 
his  appointment.  In  those  days  the  bishops  were 
permitted^  without  let  or  hinderance,  to  exercise 
their  constitutional  episcopal  prerogative  in  sending 
preachers  wherever  their  judgment  might  dictate, 
and  it  seldom  happened  that  any  "son  in  the  Gospel" 
called  in  question  the  appointments  of  the  bishops, 
or  sought  in  any  way  to  interfere  with  or  influence 
them  in  the  exercise  of  their  power.  The  constitution 
of  the  Church  gives  to  the  bishops  the  sole  power  to 
appoint  the  preachers^  to  their  respective  fields  of 
labor.  In  the  days  of  Asbury  and  M'Kendree  the 
appointments  emanated  mostly  from  the  episcopacy. 
As  the  Church  increased,  and  the  ministry  became 
more  numerous,  so  much  so  that  the  bishops  could 


262 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


not  become  personallj'  acquainted  with  "  the  gifts, 
grace,  and  usefulness"  of  the  preachers,  it  became 
necessary  to  depend  for  information  upon  the  presid- 
ing elders,  and  they  became  their  advisers,  forming 
what  has  been  denominated  the  bishop's  cabinet. 
But  latterly  so  effectually  has  the  episcopacy  been 
shorn  of  its  appointing  power,  that  many  appoint- 
ments are  rarely  made  by  it  through  the  cabinet,  they 
having  been  arranged  months  beforehand  by  the 
preacher  and  a  few  influential  members  of  the  charge. 
The  appointment,  however,  passes  through  the  forms, 
the  presiding  elder  nominating  and  the  bishops  con- 
firming. Though  this  new  custom  relieves  the  epis- 
copacy and  the  presiding  eldership  of  a  vast  amount 
of  responsibility,  yet  we  doubt  very  much  its  policy, 
and  believe  that  a  return  to  the  old  landmarks  and 
the  practice  of  the  fathei*s  would  prove  more  con- 
ducive to  the  real  welfare  and  progress  of  the  Church. 

But  to  return  to  our  subject.  Bishop  Roberts  told 
Gruber  he  might  have  his  choice  of  a  district  or  a 
circuit,  remarking  that  he  had  traveled  longer  than 
lie  himself  had  done,  and  it  was  right  and  proper  he 
should  have  a  choice.  At  this  he  was  surprised,  and 
remarked  that  "  no  bishop  had  ever  treated  him  that 
way  before."    He  replied  to  the  bishop's  kind  ofler, 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


263 


that  he  "  would  take  a  circuit  among  the  mountains 
only  for  one  reason,  and  that  was,  some  might  say 
they  had  cleared  him  out  of  Maryland."  He  sug- 
gested that  it  would  be  more  in  accordance  with  his 
wishes  to  have  a  circuit  somewhere  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  place  where  he  had  his  trial.  Accord- 
ingly  at  the  close  of  the  conference  his  name  was 
announced!^  in  connection  with  Frederic  circuit,  a 
large  field  embracing  "Westminster,  Pipe  Creek, 
Sam's  Creek,  Emmetsburgh,  Linganore,  Liberty, 
Israel's  Creek,  New  Market,  Frederic,  Middletown, 
and  other  places.  During  his  labors  on  this  circuit 
there  were  many  refreshing  seasons  at  the  different 
appointments,  and  considerable  additions  were  made 
to  the  Church.  He  spent  his  rest  week  in  working 
at  the  preacher's  house,  which  was  built  that  year, 
doing  the  painting,  glazing,  etc.  His  extra  labor  did 
not,  however,  seem  to  meet  with  a  due  reward  from 
some  of  his  parishioners,  as  the  following  paragraph 
from  one  of  his  letters  will  show : 

"  But  a  strange  return  was  made  to  me.  When  try- 
ing to  collect  money  subscribed  for  the  house,  I  was 
called  a  busybody  in  other  men's  matters,  and  worse 
than  that.  After  I  was  gone  charges  were  sent  after 
me,  as  though  I  had  dealt  as  a  speculator  in  several 


264 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


things  with  several  persons.  The  fact  was,  much  of 
the  money  that  was  then  passing  was  below  par,  and 
I  had  to  get  par  money  to  pay  for  books  in  New 
York,  having  dealt  largely  in  books ;  so  I  had  to 
change  money  where  I  could,  and  some  could  not  get 
off  the  money  they  got  from  me  after  keeping  it  too 
long.  Some  of  the  preachers  got  par  money  from  me 
to  send  to  New  York ;  so  I  was  a  money  changer, 
and  paid  some  in  money  below  par  that  answered 
them  as  well  as  any  other.  But  when  complaint  was 
made  about  it  some  put  the  worst  construction  upon 
it,  though  I  had  for  many  years  paid  in  more  book- 
money  yearly  than  any  one  I  knew ;  but  now  at  last 
I  lost  my  credit,  and  on  that  account  my  zeal  for 
bookselling  and  building  the  pareonage." 

With  all  his  economy  he  was  truly  benevolent, 
and  avarice  was  far  from  his  heart.  He  loaned 
as  well  as  gave  his  money  freely.  Borrowers  often 
took  the  advantage  of  hiin.  He  once  remarked  to 
Dr.  Bond,  in  relation  to  one  who  had  borrowed  his 
money  and  had  taken  the  benefit  of  the  insolvent 
act;  "He  has  taken  the  penctit,  and  that  is  no 
penefit  to  me." 

The  following  incidents  illustrative  of  the  power  of 
bigotry  we  take  from  his  journal : 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


265 


"There  lived  near  the  river  S.,  in  Maryland,  a 
very  rigid  Calvinist,  whose  son  went  to  the  Methodist 
meetings,  believed  their  doctrine,  and  read  their 
books,  to  the  great  grief  of  his  father,  who  frequently 
spoke  to  him  and  urged  him  to  read  one  of  his 
favorite  books,  which  he  left  in  the  shop  where  they 
worked  at  a  trade.  The  father  was  much  pleased  to 
see  the  son  frequently  read  in  the  book.  So  one  day, 
while  the  son  was  attentively  looking  in  the  book, 
and  the  father  present  in  anotlier  part  of  the  shop, 
the  son  said,  'Father,  do  you  believe  all  that  is  in 
this  book  V  '  Yes,  every  word  of  it,  and  I  have  often 
wished  you  to  read.'  '  "Well,'  said  the  son,  '  I  did  not 
think  you  believed  such  doctrine ;  let  me  read  you 
some.'  He  read  a  choice  piece  and  stopped,  saying: 
'  Do  you  believe  that  ?'  '  Why  to  be  sure ;  it  is  all 
true.'  '  Let  me  read  you  another  part.'  He  read 
again  and  stopped  to  inquire,  '  Do  you  believe  all 
that  V  '  Yes,  it  is  God's  eternal  truth,  and  I  have 
been  sorry  that  you  did  not  read  more  in  that  book, 
one  of  the  best  in  the  world!'  'Well,'  said  the  son, 
'  this  is  the  doctrine  I  believe,  and  you  may  read  it 
too ;'  and  taking  a  pamphlet  which  he  had  slipped 
into  the  book  out  of  which  he  read  to  his  father, 
which  had  a  Methodist  doctrinal  sermon  in  it,  he 


266 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


gave  it  to  his  father,  who  took  it,  looked  at  it,  and 
then,  in  a  bad  humor,  said,  '  Why  this  is  Methodist 
stuff — damnable  doctrine.'  '  O  father,'  said  the  son, 
'how  prejudice  blinds  persons.  Where  is  your  un- 
derstanding and  judgment?  When  you  heard  me 
read  what  you  thought  was  printed  in  your  book, 
it  was  all  true  ;  yes,  God's  eternal  truth ;  but  when 
you  found  it  was  a  Methodist  sermon,  it  was  all  false 
and  damnable  doctrine.' 

"  Another  case  in  another  place.  A  member  of  a 
Church  renounced  Calvinism  and  joined  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church.  His  brethren  did  not  want 
him  to  leave  them.  They  appointed  a  committee  to 
visit  him,  to  labor  with  him,  and  convince  him  of  his 
error.  One  of  the  committee  was  his  brother,  who 
it  was  thought  would  have  most  influence  over  him. 
They  went  to  his  house ;  he  was  friendly,  they  were 
serious.  The  brother  began  by  saying  they  had 
come  on  a  serious  business.  '  What  is  that  ?'  '  Why, 
to  convince  him  of  his  error  in  leaving  his  Church  and 
joining  the  Methodists.  '  Well,'  said  he,  "  did  you  ever 
hear  a  Methodist  preach  V  They  said,  '  No,  it  is  dan- 
gerous, because  they  are  the  false  prophets  who  should 
deceive  the  very  elect  if  it  were  possible.'  '  Did  you 
ever  read  any  Methodist  books?'   They  said,  'No.' 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


267 


*  "Well,  let  me  read  a  yttle  to  you.'  He  took  a  book 
from  a  shelf  and  read  some,  stopped  and  asked  how 
they  liked  it;  they  said,  'Not  at  all.'  '  Well,  let  me 
read  you  more.'  He  did  so,  and  asked,  '  How  will 
that  do  ?'  *  0  worse  still,'  etc.  '  Now  let  me  read  in 
another  place.'  Done.  He  inquired,  'How  do  you 
like  that  ?'  '  0  worse  than  all !  We  are  astonished 
that  a  man  of  your  sense  and  understanding 
should  believe  such  doctrine  or  read  such  books.' 
'  Stop,  now,'  said  he ;  '  did  I  make  a  mistake  ?  this 
don't  sound  or  read  like  a  Methodist  book  ;  look  at  it 
and  read.  It  is  your  Confession  of  Faith.'  They 
were  blunderstruck ;  they  thought  he  was  reading  in 
a  Methodist  book,  and  rejected  and  reprobated  all  he 
I'ead,  though  they  were  among  the  sweetest  morsels 
of  their  peculiar  creed.  So  much  for  sectarian  par- 
tiality and  blind  bigotry.'' 


268 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Conference  at  Georgetown — "  Haltering  the  Condition" — Marriage  — 
Housekeeping  —  Dauphin  Circuit  —  Preacher's  Allowance  —  Traveling 
Expenses  —  Bishop  Asbury's  Opinion  of  City  Stations — Frolicking 
Christians  —  Harvest  Sermon —  Ottaferencc  in  Philadelphia  —  Bishop 
Soule —  Questions  —  Appointments  —  Something  strange. 

At  the  Conference  held  in  Georgetown  in  the 
spring  of  1820,  Gruber  was  desirous  of  being  trans- 
ferred to  the  Philadelphia  Conference,  which  was  to 
hold  its  session  the  succeeding  month.  The  presiding 
bishop  granted  his  request.  That  no  time  might  be 
lost  in  the  interval,  he  took  one  round  on  the 
Carlisle  circuit.  There  was  a  reason  for  the  change 
in  the  field  of  his  labor,  which  was  known  only  to 
himself  and  another  person.  He  had  been  in  the 
traveling  connection  now  twent;^years,  and  believ- 
ing that  he  had  served  a  good  apprenticeship  he 
concluded  to  take  a  partner  for  life.  To  use  his  own 
words,  he  "  thought  lie  would  halter  his  condition,  as 
some  call  it."  Circumstances  were  much  more 
favorable  for  such  a  change  in  his  relation  than 
they  had  been ;  the  circuits  were  much  smaller,  and 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE, 


269 


instead  of  a  few  rest  days  in  a  month,  the  preachers 
had  a  week  or  more.  This  made  it  necessary  for 
them  to  have  a  home  Somewhere,  and  he  thought, 
very  wisely,  that  he  had  better  have  one  of  his 
own.  He  says  in  his  Journal :  "  I  never  liked  to 
hear  of  a  young  preacher  having  his  home  at  some 
places  and  staying  a  whole  week,  as  there  would  be 
reflections  and  reports,  unless  it  was  with  some  good 
brother  who  kept  batchelor's  hall.  Some  would  ask 
me,  '  Where  is  your  home  V  and  my  reply  would  be, 
'ITowhere  ;  the  Discipline  prohibits  me  from  spending 
more  time  in  one  place  than  is  strictly  necessary,  and 
we  are  strangers  and  sojourners  as  all  our  fathers 
were.' "  He  describes  his  manner  of  spending  his 
first  rest  week  on  Dauphin  circuit,  the  appointment 
he  received  from  the  Philadelphia  Conference : 
"  I  went  to  Harrisburgh  and  rented  a  house  for  a 
particular  friend  of  mine.  After  this  was  done  I 
went  in  a  carriage  for  some  things  I  had  left  in 
Maryland.  The  distance  was  about  thirty  miles.  I 
preached  in  the  evening.  The  next  day  1  traveled 
about  the  same  distance  and  got  married  in  the 
evening.  The  day  following  was  spent  in  packing 
up,  and  the  day  af^er  I  started  out  on  my  return  trip, 
arrived  safe  at  Harrisburgh,  and  put  my  particular 


2Y0 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


friend  in  the  rented  house,  went  to  housekeeping, 
received  a  number  of  my  acquaintances,  preached  on 
Sunday,  and  was  off  on  Monday  to  fill  my  regular 
appointraeiits  on  the  circuit." 

Many  of  the  good  people  were  displeased  at  their 
preacher  for  marrying.  He  had  carried  out  the 
advice  of  Wesley  so  strictly  "  in  conversing  sparingly 
and  conducting  himself  prudently  with  women"  that 
they  imagined  he  was  utterly  averse  to  marrying, 
and  would  remain  in  a  state  of  single  blessedness, 
having  the  Church  only  to  care  for.  They  were  not 
aware  of  the  fact,  that  as  a  general  thing  those  who 
pay  court  to  the  ladies  the  least  have  a  higher 
appreciation  of  them,  and  are  most  likely  the  sooner 
to  enter  the  marriage  state.  But  he  had  taken  all 
by  surprise,  and,  to  use  his  own  language,  "  a  tre- 
mendous hue  and  cry  was  raised  against"  him.  In 
giving  a  reason  why  he  deferred  the  matter  so  long, 
he  says :  "  I  never  thought  it  expedient  or  proper 
for  a  young  preacher  to  get  married  as  soon  as  he 
found  a  girl  silly  enough  to  have  him."  The 
heaviest  charge  brought  against  him  was  that  he 
had  married  into  a  family  where  there  were  slaves, 
and  this  was  grossly  inconsistent  with  his  whole' 
course  as  a  preacher.    This  charge  was  answered 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


271 


by  him  as  follows :  "  The  fact  is,  my  wife  never  had 
but  one  slave,  and  that  one  got  free  two  days  after 
we  were  married  by  getting  into  Pennsylvania ;  so, 
instead  of  getting  any  slaves  in  marriage,  I  got  two 
slaves  free  iii  that  family,  namely,  Sally  Howard, 
who  worked  more  than  any  slave  in  the  house,  and 
lier  girl  Snsey,  who  was  about  twenty  years  of  age." 

As  he  has  left  a  record  of  his  labors  iu  the 
Dauphin  circuit  for  the  two  years  he  traveled  the 
same,  and  as  this  will  serve  more  fully  to  give  our 
readei-s  an  idea  of  the  man,  we  will  let  him  speak 
for  himself.    He  says : 

"  We  had  peace  and  prosperity  iu  the  circuit ;  the 
Lord  was  with  us  in  mercy  and  in  power,  and  we  had 
some  powerful  conversions.  One  of  the  professors  in 
the  Wesleyan  University  was  among  them.  My  col- 
league, H.  G.  King,  was  an  excellent,  zealous  young 
man,  well  received,  and  successful.  I  had  some 
appointments  among  the  Germans ;  tried  to  preach 
in  German  where  they  could  not  understand  English. 
In  this  year  they  built  the  first  Methodist  meeting- 
house in  Harrisbiirgh,  and  it  was  the  first  year  of 
my  keeping  house.  I  got  one  hundred  dollars  on 
the  circuit,  paid  fifty  dollars  for  house-rent,  twenty- 
five  doUai-s  for  a  stove,  and  gave  them  twenty 


2T2 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GETJBEE. 


dollars  toward  their  meeting-house,  so  I  had  five 
dollars  left  to  live  on,  except  what  I  had  saved  by 
economy.  Some  would  not  come  to  hear  me  preach 
because  I  took  money ;  but  they  did  not  ask  how 
much  or  how  little  I  got. 

"  I  will  now  state  what  few  know.  Sixteen  years 
of  my  first  travehng  the  allowance  was  eighty  dol- 
lars a  year  for  quarterage.  At  the  General  Con- 
ference in  1816  the  quarterage  was  raised  to  one 
hundred  dollars.  That  body  passed  what  some  called 
the  One  Hundred  Dollar  Bill.  I  did  not  vote  for  it. 
The  more  some  get  the  more  they  want,  and  are 
always  complaining.  After  conference  some  asked 
me,  '  Will  yon  not  take  the  one  hundred  dollar  quar- 
terage?' I  said,  'Yes;  but  I  keep  no  account  of 
expenses.'  And  from  that  conference  to  this  time 
I  have  taken  no  traveling  expenses,  except  in  a  very 
few  circuits  where  they  had  a  surplus  of  money,  and 
urged  me  to  bring  in  my  account  of  traveling  ex- 
penses. I  told  them  they  might  give  me  ten  dollars 
for  a  year,  but  that  has  seldom  happened  ;  and  since 
I  began  to  keep  house  I  never  got  a  dollar  from  any 
circuit  for  house-rent  or  table  expenses.  Hitherto 
the  Lord  has  helped  and  kept  me  alive,  and  I  hope 
to  live  forever.    I  often  feel  sorry  f<Jt  preachers  and 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER.  2*73 

people.  There  is  too  much  begging  and  too  little 
economy.  I  had  some  acquaintance  with  a  preacher 
who  in  ten  years  saved  eight  hundred  dollars,  and 
had  only  received  eighty  dollars  a  year.  Another, 
who  got  one  hundred  dollars  a  year,  in  eight  years 
spent  the  eight  hundred  dollars  and  four  hundred 
dollars  besides  out  of  his  own  funds,  and  he  had 
received  many  more  presents  than  the  former. 
Some  will  take  fifty  or  sixty  dollars'  traveling  ex- 
penses when  the  most  is  fbr  resting  at  home.  Bishop 
Asbury  used  to  say,  'The  cities  spoil  our  preachers.' 
In  the  country  in  many  circuits  they  cannot  or  do 
not  raise  three  hundred  dollars  for  table  expenses 
and  house-rent.  Sometimes  when  one  of  the  poor 
preachers  gets  into  the  city,  into  a  parsonage,  he 
must  have  six  hundred,  or  eight  or  nine  hundred, 
and  at  the  end  of  the  year  he  complains  he  is  out 
of  pocket.  I  rather  think  there  is  no  bottom  in  his 
pocket.  And  for  the  second  they  go  up  to  a  thousand 
dollars  for  fear  of  getting  a  bad  name  letting  their 
parson  go  away  in  debt.  Now  this  is  wrong.  If 
they  would  teach  economj'',  give  at  least  one  hund- 
red dollars  less  the  second  year  than  the  first,  and 
there  would  be  fewer  parties  and  less  vanity,  preach- 
ers would  learn  self-denial  as  well  as  preach  it,  get 

18 


274 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


cloth  according  to  the  means,  and  then  cut  the  coat 
according  to  the  cloth.  When  I  had  traveled  ten 
years,  three  years  of  which  were  on  a  large  district, 
the  whole  amount  of  my  traveling  expenses  was  one 
hundred  and  twelve  dollars  and  some  cents.  I  had 
fast-days ;  never  stopped  at  a  tavern  to  buy  my 
dinner.  When  I  had  to  get  my  horse  fed  I  paid  for 
the  oats,  stood  by  and  kept  the  chickens  from  eating 
them,  then  went  on  my  way." 

In  the  above'  we  have  a  specimen  of  economy 
rather  verging  to  pai'simony.  It  is  a  remarkable 
fact  that  nearly  all  the  preachers  of  that  day  were 
of  the  same  economic  school.  The  most  of  them 
were  severe  in  denouncing  hireling  preachers,  and 
we  have  heard  some  thank  God  that  they  did  not 
preach  for  money.  In  this  respect  they  carried  their 
views  a  little  too  fiir,  and  the  effect  was  disastrous 
to  the  financial  interests  of  the  Church  in  general. 
The  majority  of  the  people  were  glad  to  be  relieved 
of  the  responsibility  of  paying,  and  with  the  preachers 
they  would  thank  God  too  that  they  could  belong 
to  the  Church  and  enjoy  religion  without  paying  a 
cent  for  it,  thus  literally  having  the  Gospel  "  with- 
out money  or  price."  But  we  shall  not  further  in- 
terrupt the  narrative. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


275 


"I  was  sent  a  second  year  to  Dauphin  circuit. 
Nothing  extraordinary  took  i:)lace,  only  some  fellows 
of  the  baser  sort  made  an  attempt  to  blow  up  our 
meeting-house  in  Harrisburgh.  On  a  Sunday  night 
after  preaching  they  got  in  at  a  window,  put  some- 
thing under  the  pulpit  with  powder  in  it  and  a  match. 
It  made  a  report  like  a  cannon,  tore  up  the  pulpit, 
and- broke  the  glass  out  of  some  of  the  windows.  We 
soon,  however,  had  all  repaired,  and  pursued  our 
course.  My  colleague  this  year  was  no  King,  but 
only  a  poor  thing  hunting  a  fortune.  He  found  out 
who  was  rich ;  but  the  girls  found  out  that  he  was 
lazy,  as  they  called  it,  so  he  had  little  success  in  win- 
ning souls,  and  none  in  getting  a  wifei  He  spoke 
to  me  about  what  he  had  better  do ;  my  advice  was, 
if  he  meant  to  locate,  to  get  married ;  if  to  travel  a 
circuit,  to  keep  single.  It  seems  as  though  some 
young  men  think  if  they  can  only  get  married  (the 
sooner  the  better)  they  will  be  at  once  in  paradise ; 
and  some  young  women  have  an  idea  if  they  can 
only  get  a  preacher  they  will  have  an  angel  for  cer- 
tain ;  but  more  than  one  has  been  disappointed  very 
much.  This  is  a  world  of  trouble ;  man  is  born  into 
it,  and  full  of  it  all  of  his  few  days.  But  many  of 
the  greatest  troubles  and  misery  are  brought  on  by 


276 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


Master  Self ;  that  self  is  a  great  disturber  of  peace,  a 
great  thief,  destroyer,  and  murderer ;  happy  indeed 
are  they  who  deny  self,  mortify  the  deeds,  and  cru- 
cify the  flesh  with  the  lusts  and  affections,  escape  for 
life,  and  live  forever.  I  finished  my  work  in  the 
capital  of  the.  state  and  moved  to  Germantown,  more 
in  the  center  of  the  conference. 

""While  traveling  in  a  German  settlement  near  a 
town  I  met  a  farmer ;  in  talking  with  him  I  asked 
him  if  the  people  were  religious  about  there.  He 
said  if  I  would  see  them  on  Sunday  at  church  I 
might  think  so.  Most  of  tlie  young  people  were 
baptized,  confirmed,  and  had  taken  the  sacrament;  but 
if  I  should  see  them  at  a  frolic,  playing  and  dancing ; 
at  a  vendue,  drinking,  and  quarreling,  and  fighting ; 
and  at  a  muster  or  parade,  men  and  women,  (what ! 
do  women  muster?  Ko,  but  they  go  to  see  and 
be  seen,)  would  think  there  was  no  religion  at  all 
about  here.  I  found  they  had  an  old  custom.  On 
Sunday  after  harvest  their  pareon  preached  a  harvest 
sermon,  as  it  was  called ;  but  this  year  there  were 
very  few  to  hear  it ;  most  of  the  congregation  were 
gone  to  the  moimtain  to  gather  whortleberries.  It 
would  be  hard  if  the  poor  parson  should  have  to 
preach  another  thanksgiving  sermon  when  the  bar- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


277 


ries  are  all  gathered ;  then  when  all  is  safe  take  a 
week-day  for  it.  That  would  hinder  any  from  vis- 
iting on  Sunday,  and  having  their  play  and  amuse- 
ments." 

At  the  conference  held  in  Philadelphia  in  1820,  at 
which  Bishop  Soule  presided,  Gruber  took  occasion 
to  propose  a  question  during  the  examination  of  the 
character  of  the  presiding  elders.  After  the  name 
of  the  first  elder  was  called,  and  he  had  given  a 
glowing  description  of  his  district  and  the  zeal, 
fidelity,  talents,  and  eloquence  of  his  preachers,  the 
honest  German  rose  and,  addressing  tlie  bishop, 
asked  if  he  might  be  permitted  to  make  an  inquiry. 

"  Yes,  brother,  you  may  propose  any  proper  ques- 
tion," said  the  dignified  bishop. 

"  Well,  then,"  said  Gruber,  "  I  wish  to  know  if  the 
appointments  of  the  preachers  have  been  made." 
The  bishop  expressed  surprise  at  the  question,  and 
answered,  "  Of  course  not." 

"  I  know,"  replied  Gruber,  "  how  and  when  ap- 
pointments were  made  formerly ;  but  I  confess  I 
don't  know  who  makes  them  now,  or  how  long  be- 
fore conference  they  are  made.  There  are  some  of 
the  preachers  who  could  tell  three  months  before  the 
conference  where  they  were  going,  and  some  were 


278  LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTJBER. 

told  that  there  would  be  no  room  for  them  in  the  dis- 
trict. It  would  be  well  for  all  of  us  to  know  who 
makes  the  appointments,  and  how  long  before  the 
conference  they  are  made."  At  the  close  of  his  re- 
marks a  member  of  the  conference  rose  and  objected 
to  the  statements  made,  and  said  he  regarded  them 
as  a  reflection  upon  the  presiding  elder,  which  should 
not  be  made  in  his  absence.  The  elder  was  accord- 
ingly called  in  and  informed  that  it  had  been  inti- 
mated that  he  had  made  appointments  for  his  preach- 
ers three  months  before  conference.  The  elder  re- 
plied that  such  was  not  the  case.  "  He  had  asked 
preachei-s  how  they  would  like  to  go  to  such  and 
such  circuits,  and  had  received  various  replies.  In 
doing  this  he  meant  no  harm,  but  intended  good,  as 
he  thought  the  preachers  would  like  him  better  for 
taking  an  interest  in  their  welfare." 

Such  a  course  would  hardly  be  thought  strange  at 
the  present  day,  as  we  sometimes  hear  of  appoint- 
ments being  made  a  year  beforehand.  This  arrange- 
ment, however,  is  not  chargeable  to  the  elders. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


2*79 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

Bristol  Circuit— Germans  and  Quakers  — Early  Field  of  Labor— Strange 
Texts  — A  Wonderful  Preacher  —  Pointless  Sermon  —  Lancaster  Cir- 
cuit—Pride, WMsky,  and  Tobacco  —  Camp-meeting  —  Sutlers  —  A 
Sheep  and  a  Goat  —  Burlington  Circuit  —  A  good  Beggar  —  A  Singular 
Druggist  — Cliester  Circuit  —  J.  B.  Finley  and  his  Indian  Chiefs  — 
Presbyterians  and  Anxious  Seats  —  A  Baptist  Experience  — Philadel- 
phia—St. George's  Church  —  Colleagues  —  Great  Keform  in  Baltimore 

—  Mutual  Eights  —  A  fine  House  —  Withdrawal  of  a  Eeformer  from 
the  Church  —  Singular  Certificate  —  Salem  Circuit  —  Benjamin  Abbott 

—  Bum  Drinking  —  Tobacco  Chewing  —  Prosperity  —  Sermon  at  St. 
George's  in  1830. 

Preferring  where  we  can  to  let  the  itinerant  speak 
for  himself,  we  shall  give  the  reader  his  own  account 
of  subsequent  labors : 

"In  1822  I  was  sent  from  conference  to  Bristol 
circuit.  It  included  a  large  district  of  country. 
Bristol  was  twenty  miles  above  Philadelphia,  on 
the  river,  and  forty-two  miles  toward  ^ethlehem. 
It  embraced  all  the  country  between  Norristown  and 
the  river  Delaware ;  the  different  towns,  German- 
town,  Chestnut  Hill,  Doylestown,  Newtown,  Attle- 
borough,  Bustleton,  Holmsburgh,  Frankford,  etc. 
Some  of  the  inhabitants  were  Germans,  and  many 


280 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


Quakers,  not  very  friendly  to  the  Methodists.  We 
had  good  and  profitable  meetings,  some  success,  and 
additions  to  the  Church.  I  was  among  my  old  first 
friends,  where  I  started  for  life  and  for  heaven.  My 
friends  were  almost  all  in  our  Church :  my  father 
and  mother,  my  two  brothers,  their  wives  and  chil- 
dren, my  brother-in-law  and  his  family.  "We  had 
times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord, 
and  were  in  heavenly  places  in  Christ.  How  de- 
lightful to  hear  of  heaven  and  learn  the  way ;  to  have 
a  foretaste  and  an  earnest  of  the  inheritance  reserved 
for  us  ! 

I  had  an  opportunity  here  to  reflect  upon  the 
time  when  I  joined  the  first  class  when  but  a  boy, 
and  a  few  years  after,  when  a  mere  stripling,  was 
leader,  and  of  the  mysterious  manner  in  which  I  was 
thrust  out  or  pressed  into  the  traveling  ranks. 

"  I  was  sincere,  had  some  zeal,  got  along  tolerably, 
tried  to  suit  my  texts  and  sermons  to  my  hearers. 
Let  me  gi§e  a  sample  as  a  curiosity :  When  I  was  in 
Jerusalem  I  found  a  suitable  text,  as  I  thought,  in 
the  words:  'And  I  will  wipe  Jerusalem  as  a  man 
wipeth  a  dish,  wiping  it,  and  turning  it  upside  down.' 
We  had  a  great  sermon,  as  some  said ;  but  the  best 
of  it  was  the  Lord  blessed  us,  and  we  tried  to  turn 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


281 


things  right  side  up.  In  another  place  my  text  was : 
'  And  behold,  there  was  a  swarm  of  bees  and  honey 
in  the  carcass  of  the  lion.'  We  had  a  good  and 
gracious  time ;  we  got  honey  without  being  stung  by 
the  bees.  It  was  a  wonder;  but  I  had  made  some 
little  progress,  and  was  not  so  hard  run  to  find  a  text 
now.  I  think  our  preachers  have  made  a  great  im- 
provement since  they  have  so  much  time  to  study 
their  sermons.  Only  think  of  the  variety  we  used  to 
have.  One  had  for  his  text :  '  And  the  Lord  showed 
me  four  carpenters.'  Another  text:  'Nine  and 
twenty  knives.'  Another:  'One  sea  and  twelve 
oxen.'  Another  great  text :  '  I  saw  by  night,  and 
behold,  a  man  riding  upon  a  red  horse,  and  he  stood 
among  the  myrtle-trees  that  were  in  the  bottom,  and 
behind  him  were  three  red  horses,  speckled  and 
white.'  This  was  wonderful ;  and  to  think  we  had 
such  sermons  before  we  had  so  many  colleges  and 
so  much  learning,  no  wonder  some  had  to  be  very 
long.  But  we  had  some  exceptions.  A  young  man 
in  Greenbrier  could  preach  more  in  a  quarter  of  an 
hour  than  some  old  preachers  in  two  hours.  Take  a 
sample.  He  left  a  friend's  house  one  morning  to  go 
to  his  appointment,  and  after  he  got  back  in  tho 
afternoon  ho  said:  'I  preached,  sung,  and  prayed, 


282 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


baptized  several  children,  and  married  a  couple,  and 
how  long  do  you  think  it  took  me  to  do  it?'  They 
feaid  they  did  ngt  know.  '  Well,'  said  he,  'just  thirty 
minutes.'  That  was  quick  work ;  but  they  used  to 
Bay  he  was  the  greatest  and  most  useless  preacher 
they  ever  had  on  their  circuit.  Another  one,  too 
high  learned  for  Greenbrier,  they  said,  began  his 
sermon  thus :  '  Through  the  imbecility  of  my  body 
I  can  give  you  but  a  short  confabulation,  which  I 
hope  will  come  down  with  preponderosity  upon  all 
your  minds.' 

"I  thought  it  might  not  be  amiss  to  drop  these 
hints,  that  some  may  know  that  we  were  not  at  a 
loss  for  variety  and  wonderful  preaching  a  long  time 
ago.  There  was  some  plain,  honest  dealing  among 
the  preachers  even  then.  In  Pendleton,  among  the 
mountains,  a  local  preacher  who  heard  one  of  liis 
itinerant  brethren  preacli  beyond  his  depth,  thought 
it  his  privilege  to  write  to  him,  and  among  other 
things  stated:  'I  heard  you  preach  in  such  a  place. 
You  took  a  good  text ;  you  introduced  it  without  an 
introduction,  you  explained  it  without  an  explanation, 
applied  it  without  an  application,  and  concluded  by 
saying  mjich  more  might  be  said,  but  you  studied 
brevity,  and  did  not  wisli  to  weary  the  congregation.' 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEK, 


283 


"  I  was  two  years  on  Bristol  circuit.  We  got 
along  as  well  as  we  could  expect,  considering  the 
workmen  and  the  materials  to  work  on.  I  often 
thought  if  there  were  not  fifty  and  upward  added  to 
our  Church,  and  some  revival  in  the  circuit  in  a 
year,  I  might  stop  and  rest ;  the  Lord  did  not  require 
me  to  labor  or  else  he  would  bless  my  labor.  And  I 
have  not  got  clear  of  all  those  thoughts  yet.  Why 
should  we  labor  and  toil  all  the  night,  and  all  the 
day  too,  and  catch  nothing,  or  next  to  nothing,  only 
a  few  little  fishes,  or  only  leeches,  if  not  snakes? 
Still  we  may  not  despise  the  day  of  small  things ; 
souls  are  precious — they  cost  precious  blood.  An 
old  preacher  (now  in  heaven)  told  me  once  if  he  was 
instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  one  soul  on  a 
circuit  it  would  be  a  good  year's  work.  I  will  give 
thanks,  therefore,  and  take  courage.  Lord,  increase 
my  faith ! 

"  In  1824  I  was  sent  to  Lancaster  circuit  with 
Brothers  T.  Miller  and  L  Moore;  a  six  weeks'  circuit, 
large  and  full  of  appointments,  with  only  one  rest 
week.  It  included  Reading,  the  Forest,  Coventry, 
Springfield,  Morgantown,  Churchtown,  Waynesburgh, 
JSTew  Holland,  Sandersburgh,  Strasburgh,  Little  Brit- 
ain, Martick,  Boehm's  Meeting-house,  the  Manor,  Lan- 

I 
! 


284 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKTTBER. 


caster,  Columbia,  Washington,  Marietta,  Bainbridge, 
etc.,  and  the  whole  country  between  these  places. 
We  labored  together  with  one  accord,  united  against 
the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  against  pride, 
whisky,  and  tobacco.  We  had  godspeed  almost  in 
every  place.  We  had  three  camp-meetings;  the  Lord 
our  God  was  with  us,  and  the  shout  of  a  king  in 
every  camp,  and  the  shout  of  many  new-born  souls; 
a  good  work  all  round  the  circuit.  Our  last  camp- 
meeting  was  late  in  the  season  ;  it  was  near  the  Lan- 
caster and  Philadelphia  turnpike.  At  the  beginning 
some  sutlers  wanted  to  help  us.  Being  out  in  the 
woods  a  cart  came  along,  a  boy  was  driving,  and  a 
plain  woman  sitting  in  it;  when  they  came  to  where  I 
was  she  began  :  '  Can  thee  tell  me  if  this  road  leads 
to  the  camp.'  I  said  '  Yes.'  '  Can  thee  tell  me  if 
there  would  be  any  objections  to  a  person  selling 
cakes  and  beer,  and  the  like  at  the  meeting?'  I 
asked,  'Do  you  belong  to  the  Methodists?'  She 
said  '  No.'  '  Did  they  send  for  you  V  '  No.'  '  Why 
then  did  you  come  V  *  I  thought  some  might  need  re- 
freshment.' '  And  did  you  think  we  would  let  them 
Suffer?  My  advice  is  that  you  drive  back  where 
you  came  from,  and  when  we  want  you  we  will 
send  for  you,  then  come  on.'    The  cart  went  back. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


285 


*'  One  evening,  while  a  good  work  was  going  on 
in  the  altar,  a  young  man  was  leaning  against  the 
railing  talking,  and  very  angry,  with  a  crowd  around 
him.  I  was  coming  from  a  tent,  and  stepping  up  to 
him  asked,  'What  is  the  matter?'  He  said,  pointing 
to  a  man  in  the  altar, That  fellow  frightened  a 
young  lady  who  came  with  me,  and  has  got  her 
down  there — to  the  mourner's  bench — and  he  also 
came  to  me  to  talk  to  me,  but  I  made  him  walk  off 
like  a  sheep.'  I  found  it  useless  to  speak  to  him,  so 
I  said,  'When  you  walk  away  from  here  you  will  go 
like  a  goat,'  At  this  he  got  in  a  rage,  and  said, 
'  Don't  call  me  a  goat.'  I  said,  '  Then  don't  call  that 
man  a  sheep.'  His  company  then  turned  on  him 
and  called  him  a  goat. 

"At  one  of  the  other  camp-meetings  a  near 
neighbor  boasted  how  he  meant  to  sen'e  the  meet- 
ings by  boarding  and  keeping  all  sorts  of  folks,  and 
making  money  by  it.  He  carried  out  his  purpose 
and  did  what  he  could ;  but  the  night  after  the  meet- 
ing closed  one  of  his  boarders  stole  a  horse  from  his 
stable,  which  had  cost  him  one  hundred  dollars  just 
before  the  meeting.  So  he  said  he  had  not  made 
anything  by  the  camp-meeting.  The  devil  is  a 
cheat  and  a  bad  paymaster. 


286 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


"We  concluded  our  year's  labor  delightfully  on  the 
circuit,  and  added  to  the  Church  between  five  and 
six  hundred.  Had  meetings  almost  day  and  night. 
Being  unwell,  I  told  Bishop  George  I  must  have 
easier  work  or  rest  at  the  conference.  He  had  pity 
on  me,  did  not  send,  me  back,  but  let  them  .divide 
the  circuit.  I  know  not  how  many  stations  and  cir- 
ciiits  there  are  now  in  that  one  Lancaster  circuit. 

"  At  the  conference  in  1825  Bishop  George  gave 
me  an  easy  circuit,  Burlington  in  Jersey  ;  but  told 
me  he  understood  it  was  too  small,  and  requested  me 
to  enlarge  it.  But  when  I  went  round  it  I  found 
the  Delaware  River  on  one  side,  at  the  upper  end 
the  Trenton  circuit,  on  the  other  side  JS^ew  Mills, 
and  at  the  lower  end  Gloucester  circuit,  all  close  by; 
so  there  was  no  room  to  enlarge,  unless  to  make 
stations  and  divide,  which  I  had  not  learned.  In  the 
midst  of  the  circuit  there  were  many  Quakers  not 
very  friendly  to  the  Methodists ;  for  some  would 
rather  their  children  should  go  to  frolics  than  to 
Methodist  meetings.    I  soon  found  difficult  work. 

"Our  friends  in  Burlington  had  got  a  fine  lot,  and 
built  a  large  brick  meeting-house  on  it,  which  was  in 
debt.  They  wanted  to  sink  the  debt.  Two  old 
preachers,  who  had  encouraged  them  to  buy,  and 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  G RUBER.  28'7 

build,  and  run  in  debt,  would  have,  and  ougbt  to 
have  helped  and  relieved  them ;  for  they  had  re- 
ceived many  favors,  presents,  and  large  fees.  But 
they  sent  them  to  me,  told  them  that  I  was  a  good 
beggar,  that  I  could  beg  for  them.  This  they  soon 
told  me.  I  got  a  subscription  paper,  and  put  my 
name  down  for  five  dollars.  Next  I  spoke  to  one  of 
these  old  preachers  to  put  down  his  name,  but  he 
would  not.  I  told  him  it  was  wrong  that  he  and  the 
other  brother  should  help  to  get  their  friends  in 
debt,  and  not  help  them  out  after  receiving  many 
benefits  from  them  ;  and  at  last  send  them  to  me,  a 
stranger,  to  beg  for  them.  'Now,'  said  I,  'I  beg  of 
you  to  help.'  He  said  he  would  give  as  much  as 
Brother  S.,  the  other  old  preacher,  would  give ;  so  I 
went  to  Brother  S.,  told  him  to  put  down  his  name 
for  a  liberal  sum,  to  get  the  other  to  be  liberal,  as  he 
had  received  presents,  etc.  He  would  not  put  down 
his  name,  but  told  me  he  would  give  a  marriage  fee 
out  of  what  he  got  in  Burlington  if  Brother  C.  would 
give  only  one  that  he  had  got  there  out  of  many. 
So  I  went  back  to  Brother  C,  told  him  that  Brother 
S.  said  he  would  give  a  marriage  fee  if  he  would 
give  one  he  got  in  the  same  family.  He  said,  'No.' 
I  said,  '  O  do,  do  give ;  and  then  Brother  S.  must 


288 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


give,  and  we  will  sink  the  debt.'  He  would  not.  I 
told  him  never  to  call  me  a  good  beggar  again  if  I 
could  not  get  anything  from  him,  for  I  was  trying 
my  very  best.  But  all  I  could  say  or  do  I  could  not 
get  one  dollar  out  of  either  of  them.  Pity,  O  pity  on 
them  !  One  of  them  became  poor,  and  lived  misera- 
ble ;  the  other  lived  a  poor,  solitary  life,  and  died 
rich.  We  got  along  better  than  could  be  expected. 
"We  paid  our  debts,  and  the  work  of  the  Lord  pros- 
pered in  the  circuit.    Souls  were  converted. 

"  There  was  a  singular,  good  old  man  in  Mount 
Holly  who  kept  a  drug  and  paint  store.  A  fine 
butterfly-looking  lady,  laced  np  tight,  came  into  the 
store  and  asked  him,  '  Have  you  any  snuff?'  The 
old  man  said,  '  Yes  ;  what  kind  do  you  want?'  She 
said,  '  Rubbing  snuff.'  'What!  rubbing  snuff?  What 
is  that  for?'  She  said,  '  For  the  teeth.'  He  said, 
•O  ho!  I  have  snuff  for  the  nose,  but  not  for  the 
mouth.  I  don't  sell  poison  to  those  who  don't  know 
how  to  use  it.'  A  little  confused,  the  fine  thing  said, 
'Have  you  any  paint?'  '  Yes,  miss.  What  kind  do 
you  want?'  She  said,  'Some  for  the  cheeks.'  The 
old  man  said,  '  I  don't  know  what  kind  that  is,  but  I 
have  different  kinds  of  paint.  If  you  leave  your 
Lead  here  I  will  have  your  face  painted  any  color 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


289 


you  direct.'  She  looked  queer,  went  away  with- 
out any  snuff  or  paint,  and  I  think  he  lost  a  line 
customer.  We  had  a  variety  of  good,  bad,  indiffer- 
ent, and  curious  things  in  this  circuit ;  but  the  best 
of  all  was,  the  Lord  was  with  us  in  mercy,  and  fre- 
quently in  his  Spirit's  power,  to  revive  his  work  and 
convert  souls.    Thanks,  all  thanks  to  the  Lord  ! 

"In  1826  and  1827  I  was  on  Chester  circuit.  It 
was  a  tolerable  four  weeks'  circuit ;  had  Derby, 
Radnor,  and  a  number  of  other  towns  in  it,  and  the 
country  round  about,  and  the  first  year  Westchester. 
In  1827  Westchester  became  a  station.  The  circuit 
was  then  easier,  less  work,  more  rest,  more  begging; 
wonderful  accounts  of  great  and  glorious  meetings, 
revivals,  etc.  We  calculated  on  a  large  increase ; 
but  when  conference  came  on  we  were  disappoint- 
ed. Removals,  deaths,  expulsions,  backslidings,  etc., 
were  to  be  subtracted.  After  all  the  great  revivals 
there  was  a  decrease  in  numbers.  Yet  there  was  an 
increase  in  circuits  and  stations,  in  preachers,  and 
preachers'  wives  and  children  ;  truly  an  increase  of 
expenses  almost  everywhere,  and  a  cry  of  hard  times. 
Some  sung,  'Shout,  shout,  were  gaining  ground;' 
but  it  was  by  going  down.    But  all  is  not  lost  that  is 

in  danger.    At  one  of  our  camp-meetings  we  had 

19 


290 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


Brother  J.  B.  Finley,  the  missionary,  and  two  of  the 
Indian  chiefs,  with  us,  and  a  number  of  our  great  and 
good  men ;  above  all,  the  Master  of  assemblies  was 
with  us,  the  shout  of  a  king  was  in  the  camp.  A 
number  of  souls  were  blessed  and  powerfully  con- 
verted. The  number  which  joined  on  probation  at 
each  camp-meeting,  or  on  each  circuit,  I  have  among 
my  papers  or  memorandums,  but  have  not  time  to 
look  them  up,  and  it  would  not  be  necessary  to  write 
them.  All  I  have  written  is  from  memory,  and  I 
could  write  much  more ;  but  fear  most  of  what  I  write 
will  be  of  little  real  use  or  lasting  benefit  to  many. 

"  In  Chester  county  I  saw  a  very  friendly  Baptist 
preacher,  who,  in  conversation  with  me  about  the 
experience  of  some  persons,  said  they  were  not  deep, 
sound,  or  Scriptural.  I  thought  so  too.  He  then 
told  me  a  fact.  A  man  wanted  to  join  the  Church, 
and  got  another  man  to  write  liim  an  experience. 
"When  the  time  came  for  him  to  tell  his  experience 
he  told  the  meeting  that  he  was  not  in  the  habit  of 
speaking,  and  was  afraid  of  getting  confused,  so  he 
had  his  experience  Avritten  down,  and  he  would  read 
it  to  them.  Tlicy  approved  of  it,  and  gave  him  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship.  All  was  well  till  the  man 
got  sick ;  then  he  was  afraid,  and  told  some  one  to 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


291 


get  that  experience  and  read  it.  It  was  done,  and 
the  man  got  comfort,  which  lasted  till  he  got  sick 
again ;  then  he  was  much  alarmed,  and  not  ready 
to  die.  He  thought  of  the  experience,  and  told  them 
to  get  it.  They  searched  for  it ;  but  it  had  got 
among  waste  paper,  and  the  mice  had  got  it  and 
destroyed  it,  so  the  poor  man  had  to  die  miserable, 
without  an  experience.  'Now,'  said  the  preacher, 
'you  may  tell  that  to  the  congregation,'  I  said  I 
should  be  afraid  it  would  be  taken  as  a  reflection  on 
the  Baptists.'  He  said :  '  Tell  them  that  a  Baptist 
preacher  told  you  the  ftict,  and  told  you  to  publish  it 
as  a  warning  to  others  not  to  depend  on  an  experi- 
ence that  the  mice  can  eat.' 

"  The  Presbyterians  in  this  country  had  sacrament 
meetings,  anxious  meetings,  and  anxious  seats.  Some 
who  have  been  at  them  say  they  carry  on  their  meet- 
ings just  like  the  Methodists.  I  asked  in  what 
respect?  Why,  they  preach  Methodist  doctrine; 
then  they  invite  anxious  persons  to  come  and  sit 
down  on  the  anxious  seats ;  then  some  one  speaks 
to  them ;  then  some  sing ;  then  one  stands  up  and 
prays,  while  the  anxious  persons  sit  on  the  anxious 
seats.  So  this  is  just  like  the  Methodist  plan  as 
much  as  an  ape  is  just  like  a  man.    I  do  not  like 


292 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


nicknames ;  everything  should  be  called  by  its  proper 
name. 

"  I  will  relate  a  little  conversation  that  took  place 
in  a  friendly  family.  Several  of  them  had  been  at 
one  of  our  camp-meetings.  Some  time  after,  while 
talking  about  it,  some  one  said  they  thought  there 
were  not  many  anxious  persons  at  it.  I  asked, 
'Where  did  you  sit?'  They  said,  'Before  the  stand.'  I 
told  them  they  could  not  see  well,  being  so  low ;  but 
I  sat  on  the  stand,  and  could  see  all  over  the  congre- 
gation, and  saw  many  anxious  persons.  Many  in 
time  of  preaching  sat,  and  were  anxious  to  under- 
stand what  they  heard.  In  time  of  exhortation  there 
was  a  noise,  and  crying  in  the  altar  before  the  stand. 
Then  some  who  had  been  walking  about  crowded 
forward,  and  stood  on  the  seats ;  these  were  very  anx- 
ious to  see  a  noise.  Some  were  anxious  to  get  their 
children  to  the  mourners'  bench  to  get  them  con- 
verted. Some  were  anxious  to  get  their  children 
away  for  fear  the  Methodists  would  pray  with  them 
and  get  them  converted.  Upon  the  whole,  every 
seat  was  occupied  by  some  anxious  person ;  and 
every  man,  woman,  and  child  at  that  meeting  was 
anxious  about  something ;  aiid  even  some  dogs  were 
anxious  to  get  a  bone  or  something  to  eat,  for  some 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  G  RUBER. 


293 


got  into  tents  and  stole  the  people's  provision.  So 
all  were  anxious.  I  heard  no  more  about  anxious 
meetings  or  seats  in  that  place.  I  am  in  favor  of 
mmmiers'  benches. 

"  In  the  year  1828  I  was  stationed  in  Philadel- 
phia. The  station  embraced  St.  George's,  Ebene- 
zer,  Salem,  and  Nazareth  Churches.  There  were 
four  of  us :  Brothers  Doughty,  Scott,  Thompson,  and 
myself  Brother  S.  Doughty  had  the  charge,  having 
been  there  the  year  before.  He  boarded  near  St. 
George's ;  my  boarding  house  was  near  Ebenezer. 
Brother  Doughty  died  after  harvest.  Three  of  us 
had  to  do  the  work  of  four  the  most  part  of  the  year. 
The  labor  was  hard ;  preaching,  classes  to  meet,  and 
other  meetings  to  attend,  the  sick  to  visit  day  and 
night.  Some  said  I  attended  more  funerals  than 
any  preacher  in  the  city — almost  at  every  one's 
beck  and  call;  but  the  Lord  helped  me,  and  I  got 
along,  with  fear  and  trembling,  better  than  I 
expected.  Having  charge  after  the  death  of 
Brother  Doughty,  knowing  something  about  the 
station,  and  how  critical  and  contrary  some  were,  we 
got  along  tolerably  peaceable  and  quiet,  had  good 
meetings,  and  some  success.  In  a  quarterly  confer- 
ence I  unfortunately  appealed  from  the  decision  of 


294 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBKR. 


tlie  presiding  elder,  a  good  little  man.  He  took  it  as 
a  great  offense,  and  renaembered  me  at  another  time, 
in  some  other  way. 

"  In  this  year  the  great  reform  took  place  in  Balti- 
more, which  was  '  the  match  to  set  fire  to  the  train 
laid  from  Georgia  to  Maine  to  blow  np  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church;'  "Word  came  to  Philadelphia 
that  many  local  preachers  were  expelled,  and  many 
private  members  had  left  the  Church,  and  that  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  ruined  by  tyrannical 
preachers,  etc.  Some  came  to  me  inquiring  whether 
we  had  not  better  call  an  oflScial  meeting  to  express 
our  views  about  the  Baltimore  excitement  and  doings, 
and  guard  our  own  rights.  Some  spoke  and  wrote 
much  about '  mutual  rights,'  and  were  doing  mutual 
wrong  all  the  time.  I  told  them  we  would  mind  our 
own  business.  I  was  acquainted  in  Baltimore  with 
the  head  men  among  the  reformei-s ;  let  them  reform 
what  they  can ;  but,  said  I,  if  we  were  to  hear  that  a 
fire  had  broken  out  in  Baltimore,  should  we  ring  the 
fire-bells  in  this  city  and  get  the  fire  companies  out? 
No,  let  us  wait  till  the  fire  breaks  out  here,  then  ring 
the  fire-bells  and  go  to  work  to  put  out  the  fire,  and 
take  care  and  add  no  fuel.  After  a  while  a  local 
preacher  told  me  he  would  leave  the  Methodist  Epia- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRT7BER. 


295 


copal  Church.  I  said,  We  are  in  a  free  country. 
After  a  while  another  local  preacher  went  to  the  pre- 
siding elder  and  got  a  certificate,  and  went  away 
from  us ;  and  some  of  the  members  went  too,  but 
altogether  not  more  than  twenty  while  I  was  in  the 
station.  At  a  distance  it  was  reported  that  a  great 
many  had  left  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
city,  preachers  and  members.  When  some  inquired 
of  me  how  many  preachers  had  gone  from  ns,  I  told 
exactly.  It  was  '  Crammer  and  Cropper,  and  then 
it  was  Dunn,'  that  is,  altogether,  three.  I  understood 
they  did  not  harmonize  together  long,  neither  preach- 
ers nor  members.  The  preachere  wanted  to  be 
bishops  or  something  else,  and  the  members  did  not 
like  to  be  Crammed,  or  Cropped,  or  Dunned,  so 
their  meeting-house  was  shut  up,  or  sold,  or — it  is 
none  of  my  business  what. 

"I  finished  my  work  as  well  as  I  could  in  the 
charge ;  but  when  conference  came  my  presiding 
elder  had  not  much  to  say  for  me.  However,  Dr.  S., 
and  some  who  were  intimate  with  Bishop  E.,  told  me 
that  wrong  statements  had  been  made  to  the  bishops, 
and  before  they  knew  better  they  had  committed 
themselves ;  so  my  appointment  came  out  for  Glou- 
cester circuit  in  1829.    Some  said  it  was  the  hardest 


296 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


circuit  in  the  Jersey  district,  a  large  four  weeks'  cir- 
cuit ;  but  I  had  an  excellent  colleague,  brother  Green- 
bank,  in  his  first  year.  We  labored  harmoniously 
and  successfully  together.  "We  had  a  good  work 
pretty  generally  through  the  circuit.  "We  labored 
hard,  but  not  in  vain.  We  had  a  good  reward  in 
hand,  in  heart,  and  yet  to  come,  when  all  is  done. 

"  One  time,  on  my  way  to  see  my  family,  riding 
along  the  street  through  the  city,  one  of  my  left- 
handed  friends  spoke  to  me,  and  said,  among  other 
things,  that  I  was  riding  a  very  fine  horse.  I 
answered,  '  There  is  no  knowing  what  a  poor  fellow 
may  come  to.  There  has  been  a  great  change ;  last 
year  I  was  here  in  the  city,  had  to  walk  every  day, 
labor  harder  than  a  slave,  was  kicked  away  like  a 
dog,  and  now  I  ride  like  a  gentleman.  Farewell.' 

"The  reformers,  as  they  were  called,  came  along 
and  took  two  of  our  men.  One  of  them  had  told 
some  he  would  go,  and  have  a  certificate  too.  When 
I  got  there,  after  preaching  and  meeting  the  class,  he 
spoke  out  and  said  he  wjshed  to  leave  this  Church. 
I  inquired,  '  Are  you  going  to  move  away  ?'  He 
said.  No,  he  wanted  to  withdraw  from  the  Church.  I 
said,  '  When  you  joined  us  you  gave  a  reason  for  it ; 
you  had  a  desire  "  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come."  * 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


297 


He  said,  '  Yes.'  '  Now,'  said  I,  '  it  would  be  fair  to 
give  a  reason  for  leaving  us.  Are  you  dissatisfied 
with  our  doctrine ?'  He  said,  'ISTo.'  'Are  you  dis- 
satisfied with  our  Church  government?'  He  said, 
'Yes,  and  had  been  for  fifteen  yeare.'  I  said,  'That 
will  do ;  not  many  would  stay  so  long  where  they 
were  dissatisfied.'  Then  I  spoke  to  the  class :  '  You 
have  heard  his  reason  ;  now  all  of  you  who  have  any 
objection  to  his  withdrawing  rise  up.'  Not  one  got 
up,  though  it  was  a  large  class.  I  said,  '  You  see 
they  are  all  willing  you  should  go ;  will  you  want  a 
certificate?'  He  said,  'Yes.'  'Will  it  do  in  the 
morning?'  'Yes.'  'You  shall  have  it.'  In  the 
morning  I  handed  him  a  certificate  in  the  following 
words : 

" '  This  is  to  certify  that  the  bearer,  J.  D.,  has  been 
a  dissatisfied  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  has  withdrawn  on  the  day  of  such  a 
month,  in  the  year  1829.  J.  Gr.' 

"  He  said  he  had  been  dissatisfied  with  the  govei-n- 
ment  of  the  Church  for  fifteen  years.  It  was  said, 
when  he  gave  in  his  certificate  they  told  him  it  was 
not  good  ;  but  I  could  not  help  that ;  it  was  true 
according  to  his  own  statement.    The  other  man 


298 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


wanted  license  to  exhort,  but  before  I  could  bring 
liis  case  before  the  class  the  reformers  told  him  they 
would  give  him  license  to  preach  and  a  circuit — that 
our  bishops  and  presiding  elders  got  very  large  sala- 
ries, etc.  So,  when  I  called  to  see  him  he  was  a  re- 
former. I  asked  him  how  much  they  had  made  him 
pay  in  a  year  to  support  the  bishops,  etc.  He  said 
they  had  not  made  him  pay  anything.  I  said, '  How 
much  did  you  pay  in  last  year?'  He  said  he  had 
only  paid  a  quarter  of  a  dollar.  '  Why  did  you  pay 
less  last  year  than  the  year  before  last?'  He  said  he 
did  not,  for  he  paid  nothing  that  year.  I  asked, '  Why 
did  you  pay  nothing?'  He  said  the  preacher  had 
finer  clothes  than  he  had.  'So,'  said  I,  'you  paid  one 
quarter  of  a  dollar  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel  and 
Church  privileges  for  yourself  and  family  in  two 
years.  That  was  not  dear.'  He  went  to  the  reform- 
ers' conference,  but  when  he  came  back,  and  was 
asked  where  his  circuit  was,  he  said  he  might  form 
one  where  he  pleased.    He  never  got  one. 

"In  1830  my  appointment  was  on  Salem  circuit. 
It  included  a  tolerably  large  space  of  country,  Salem 
and  some  other  towns.  Hei-e  I  found  my  old  friend, 
Father  T.  Ware,  who  gave  me  my  firet  license  to 
preach,  and  took  my  recommendation  to  the  Phila- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


299 


delpllia  Conference.  Sister  "Ware's  first  husband 
took  me  into  society.  Here  I  saw  Father  B.  Abbott's 
grave,  who  was  one  of  the  greatest  preachers  in  his 
day ;  most  successful  in  getting  souls  converted  and 
sanctified ;  a  man  of  great  faith,  deep  humility,  and 
of  holy  Kfe. 

"When  in  Salem  one  evening  the  president  of  a 
temperance  society  requested  me  to  go  with  him  to  a 
meeting.  A  young  Baptist  preacher  read  a  piece 
very  severe  against  rum-drinking,  stating  how  it  ru- 
ined families,  men  of  talents,  doctors,  lawyers,  and 
even  ministers ;  how  it  defiled  courts,  and  even 
churches  and  pulpits.  He  read  hard  words,  and 
when  lie  was  done  the  president  said  if  any  stranger 
had  anything  to  say  there  was  time.  I  took  the  hint, 
and  as  a  stranger  made  a  few  remarks,  stating  that 
severe  things  were  said  against  drinking,  and  it 
would  be  a  kindness  to  point  out  a  course  to  prevent 
thirst,  and  to  give  advice  to  such  as  were  almost  con- 
tinually under  a  salivation.  Churches  were  polluted 
by  rum-drinkers,  and  so  they  were  by  some  who 
use  a  stimulus  called  tobacco.  Look  on  the  floor  of 
a  church  on  the  men's  side  if  you  have  a  strong 
stomach !  See,  see!  spatteration,  slaveration!  fie,  fie! 
"Where  did  all  that  come  from  ?    From  the  drainings 


300 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


of  a  dunghill  ?  K"o,  no ;  be  decent,  don't  tell.  Look 
in  some  pulpits  and  see  self-denial,  or  can  you  only 
hear  it  ?  Well,  faith  comes  by  hearing ;  but  the  best 
sermon  a  preacher  can  preach  would  have  no  relish 
to  some  if  it  was  not  seasoned  with  tobacco.  As 
soon  as  the  preacher  takes  his  text  some  take  a  chew 
to  brighten  their  ideas  and  spice  what  they  hear. 
Why  not  allow  another  poor  fellow  to  take  out  of  his 
pocket  a  flask,  and  take  a  dram  to  brighten  his  ideas 
and  stimulate  his  devotion  ?  While  I  was  dropping 
my  hints  there  was  a  wonderful  wiping^  not  of  the 
eyes  but  of  the  mouths.  I  was  not  invited  to  speak 
again  in  that  place  about  either  rum  or  tobacco. 

"  We  had  a  prosperous  year  in  the  classes,  and 
revivals,  a  great  and  good  camp-meeting,  and  many 
souls  converted.  Lord  keep  them !  They  can  only 
be  kept  by  the  power  of  God  through  faith ;  but  they 
must  keep  the  faith,  or  the  power  of  God  will  not 
keep  them.  On  this  circuit  I  finished  my  work  in 
the  state  of  New  Jersey.  I  highly  esteem  many  of 
our  members  there,  and  some  Jersey  customs ;  but  one 
thing  I  am  sorry  for:  some  are  cruel  to  their  poor 
horses,  drive  them  to  the  landing,  stop  at  a  store,  not 
to  get  oats  or  corn  for  the  poor  hungry  horse,  but 
rum  and  good  tobacco  for  the  hard-hearted  driver 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


301 


and  tippler.  O  what  a  pity !  So  says  an  old  friend 
to  man  and  beast." 

While  in  attendance  at  conference  in  Philadelphia 
in  1830,  he  was  appointed  to  preach  in  his  old 
charge,  St.  George's.  He  took  for  his  text  Psalm 
Ixxxiv,  4 :  "  Blessed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  house, 
they  will  be  still  praising  thee."  Retaining  a  keen 
sense  of  the  manner  in  which  he  was  treated  by 
some  of  the  members  of  that  charge,  which  resulted 
in  his  removal  at  the  end  of  the  first  year,  he  felt 
doubtless  disposed  to  let  his  hearers  know  it  by  some 
witty  and  cutting  allusions.  The  sermon  delivered 
on  that  occasion  is  thus  reported  by  the  Eev.  J.  L. 
Lenhart :  "  It  was  well  arranged,  and  the  matter  was 
in  general  very  instructive.  Under  the  head  of  'The 
Character  of  those  who  dwell  in  the  House  of  the 
Lord,'  I  distinctly  recollect  three  characteristics  : 

"  1.  They  are  a  hunible  people^  willing  to  occupy 
a  humble  place  in  the  Church,  indeed,  any  place,  so 
that  they  might  be  permitted  to  abide  in  the  Church ; 
but  there  were  some  people  who  were  so  proud  and 
ambitious  that,  unless  they  could  be  like  the  first 
king  of  Israel,  from  the  shoulders  up  higher  than 
everybody  else,  they  wouldn't  come  into  the  house 
at  all,  but  hang  about  the  doors. 


302 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


"2  They  were  a  contented  people.  If  everything 
did  not  exactly  suit  them  they  made  tlie  best  of  it, 
and  tried  to  get  along  as  well  as  they  could ;  but  there 
are  many  who  are  so  uneasy  and  fidgety  that  they 
can't  dwell  in  the  Church,  but  are  continually  running 
in  and  out,  disturbing  themselves  and  everybody  else. 

"  3.  They  were  a  satisfied  people,  always  finding 
something  good,  and  thankful  for  it.  Let  who  would 
be  their  preacher  or  preachei's,  they  could  always 
get  something  that  would  give  them  instruction  and 
encouragement.  But  there  are  some  people  who  are 
never  satisfied,  but  are  always  finding  fault  with 
their  preacher ;  some  preach  too  loud,  and  some  too 
long,  and  some  say  so  many  hard  and  queer  things, 
and  some  are  so  pros}'  and  dull  that  they  can't  be 
fed  at  all  and  are  never  satisfied.  If  the  multitude 
that  were  fed  by  the  Saviour  were  like  these  people 
they  never  would  have  been  fed.  If  one  had  cried 
out,  *  John,  you  shan't  feed  me,  Peter  shall ;'  and  an- 
other had  said,  'Andrew  shall  feed  me,  but  James 
shan't ;'  and  another,  '  I  want  all  bread  and  no  fish ;' 
and  others,  'I  want  all  fish  and  no  hread,  how  could 
they  have  been  fed?  Such  dissatisfied  people  can- 
not dwell  in  the  house  of  the  Lord.  If  thej'  are  not 
turned  out  they  will  soon  die  out :  they  can't  live." 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


303 


CHAPTEE  X. 

Waynesburgli  Circuit  —  Dr.  Sargent — Bishop  M'Kendree  —  Eemoval  to 
Baltimore  —  Opposition  to  Transfer  —  Port  Deposit  Circuit — "William 
Hunter — Baltimore,  Sharp-street  and  Asbury  —  Death  of  Mrs.  Gru- 
ber — Colored  People  —  Ebcnezer,  "Washington  City — A  Hollander 
and  a  Priest  —  Questions  —  Title  to  Heaven  —  Extravagance  in  "Wash- 
ington—  Chaplain  to  Congress  —  Singular  Sermon  at  a  Camp-meet- 
ing—  Carlisle  Circuit  —  Opposition  Lines  —  Feet  "Washing — Chris- 
tians—  Miracle  "Workers  —  Camp-meeting  on  Huntingdon  Circuit  — 
Amusing  Discourse  —  The  Crow's  Nest  stirred  up  —  Card  Playing  — 
"A  Particular  and  Confidential  Friend"  —  Sharp-street  and  Asbury, 
Baltimore  —  "Old  "Wesley"  —  Colored  Preachers  —  Spurious  Keviv- 
als  —  Profession  and  Practice  —  "Visit  to  Eachel  Martin. 

"  In  the  years  1831  and  1832  I  traveled  Waynesburgh. 
circuit,  "which,  like  some  others,  "was  formed  of  parts 
of  the  Chester  and  Lancaster  circuits.  Some  -wanted 
a  new  circuit,  in  order  that  they  might  get  more  Sun- 
day preaching.  They  -wished  a  married  and  a  single 
preacher,  but  instead  thereof  they  got  t-wo  married 
men,  a  burden  on  the  circuit  and  a  mortification  to 
the  preachers.  We  got  along  tolerably  well,  had 
good  prosperous  meetings,  times  of  refreshing  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord,  souls  converted,  and  addi- 
tions to  the  Church.    Each  of  us  received  a  little 


304 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


more  than  a  single  preacher's  allowance.  "We  had 
little  work  and  little  pay,  just  right  and  honest. 

"  Before  my  time  was  up  on  this  circuit,  Dr.  Sar- 
gent, of  Philadelphia,  told  me  that  I  must  move  my 
■wife  to  Maryland,  to  be  near  her  friends,  or  she  could 
not  live,  she  was  so  afflicted.  He  was  well  acquaint- 
ed with  her  father's  family,  and  felt  a  serious  concern 
about  her.  I  told  him  I  did  not  like  to  ask  for  a 
transfer  to  the  Baltimore  Conference,  and  it  would 
be  a  loss  to  me,  as  I  had  a  comfortable  home  for  her 
in  Grermantown.  He  said  that  was  little  compared 
with  health  and  life.  He  said  he  would  speak  to 
Bishop  M'Kendree,  which  he  did,  and  the  bishop 
made  no  objection.  I  disposed  of  my  property,  etc., 
at  a  considerable  sacrifice,  and  took  my  wife  to  Bal- 
timore to  her  friends.  The  conference  jnst  com- 
menced, I  stated  my  situation  to  the  bishop ;  not 
Mr.  M'Kendree,  however,  as  he  was  not  present.  I 
then  went  back  to  finish  my  work  on  the  circuit, 
expecting  a  transfer,  when  the  Philadelphia  Confer- 
ence came  on.  But  my  case  was  brought  into  the 
Baltimore  Conference,  and  a  vote  was  taken  on  it  to 
the  effect  that  it  was  not  expedient  to  transfer  me. 
Some  inquired  whether  I  was  effective,  etc. ;  some 
had  fears  that  I  wanted  aid,  as  they  had  got  up  a 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


305 


preacher's  aid  society  while  I  was  gone.  It  would 
have  been  kind  if  some  one  had  said,  'We  had  fifteen 
years  of  his  best  time  and  strength  as  a  single  man 
in  the  Baltimore  Conference ;  if  he  needs  assistance 
we  ought  to  give  it.'  But  a  majority,  some  of  whom 
had  not  been  in  full  connection  one  year,  voted 
against  my  being  transferred.  I  had  told  the  bishop 
and  others  that  while  I  could  do  the  work  they  gave 
me  I  wanted  no  more  than  my  bare  quarterage,  and 
when  I  quit  working  I  did  not  want  tliat ;  I  wanted 
no  benefit  from  confereuce  or  aid  society ;  and  if  I 
were  to  die  my  wife  would  want  nothing  from  confer- 
ence. But  all  would  not  do ;  there  was  no  transfer 
unless  the  conference  voted  it,  which  had  never  been 
required  in  this  conference  before,  so  I  was  treated 
difi"erently  from  all  or  any  one  else. 

"  "When  the  Philadelphia  Conference  was  over  I 
got  a  letter  from  a  presiding  elder,  stating  that  my 
appointment  was  on  Port  Deposit  circuit.  So  they 
let  me  go  to  the  border  and  look  over.  We  had  some 
revivals,  seasons  of  mercy  and  power  from  on  high, 
and  some  increase.  In  this  year  our  old  brother, 
William  Hunter,  died.  He  had  been  afflicted  with 
the  palsy  for  several  years ;  he  was  an  old  acquaint- 
ance and  friend ;  he  had  been  at  my  father's.  The 

20 


306 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


last  time  I'  saw  him  as  we  parted  he  said  to  me,  '  K 
you  are  in  reach  when  I  die  I  want  you  to  preach 
my  funeral.'  He  told  me  he  had  calculated  that  Dr. 
Sargent  should  do  that  for  him,  but  that  he  had  gone 
to  the  western  country,  and  I  was  the  oldest  friend 
he  had  here.  Our  friendship  and  confidence  has  not 
been  interrupted  '  or  broken  for  forty  years.  We 
parted  in  tears,  to  meet  no  more  here  on  earth. 

"  His  death  was  rather  sudden,  and  they  did  not 
know  where  to  find  me,  so  I  could  not  fulfill  his  last 
request.  Some  of  his  friends  wrote  to  me  from  Phila- 
delphia some  time  after  his  death  to  come  and  preach 
his  funeral,  but  I  could  not  do  it.  There  were  preach- 
ers in  the  city  that  could  do  it  far  better  than  I 
could.  If  I  could  have  been  at  his  burial  I  would 
have  made  an  eff'ort  to  preach,  but  could  not  have 
done  justice  to  him.  He  was  a  great  man,  a  good 
man,  a  patient  man,  sound  in  the  faith.  Some  time 
after  the  first  stroke,  when  I  called  to  see  him,  he 
said : '  O  how  happy  I  was  a  few  nights  ago !  I  thought 
I  was  going  home  to  heaven  ;  there  I  shall  see  Abra- 
ham, Isaac,  and  Jacob,  the  prophets  and  apostles, 
Wesley  and  Fletcher.'  He  named  some  of  our 
friends  that  had  gone  home.  His  heart  got  too  full 
for  utterance.    He  broke  out  in  a  shout :  '  But  above 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEB.  30Y 

all,  I  shall  see  Jesus  my  Saviour  as  he  is,  and  be  with 
him  forever.' 

*'  Before  my  year  was  quite  up  the  Baltimore  Con- 
ference came  on.  Some  of  my  friends  spoke  for  me, 
and  a  transfer  was  promised.  From  the  Philadelphia 
Conference  I  was  sent  to  Baltimore,  Sharp-street  and 
Asbury  charge.'  The  stewards  soon  gave  me  to 
understand  that  they  were  not  able  to  give  me  more 
than  a  single  preacher's  allowance,  as  they  were  in 
debt  and  had  been  pressed  and  drained  the  last  year. 
I  told  them  I  did  not  fall  out  about  money,  so  we  had 
no  diflficulty?  A  good  work  went  on  ;  we  had  great 
and  good  times,  as  they  generally  have  among  the 
colored  people.  But  before  a  year  was  half  out  my 
wife  died,  and  I  was  left  solitary  and  alone. 

"  Having  charge  of  about  two  thousand  colored 
people,  who  must  have  access  to  me  by  day  and  by 
night,  having  to  visit  the  sick  and  attend  to  their 
business,  and  some  meeting  to  attend  every  night  ex- 
cept Saturday  night,  I  did  not  see  my  way-  clear  to 
break  up  housekeeping,  so  I  kept  bachelor's  hall,  as 
some  call  it.  And  for  one  year  and  about  nine 
months  I  lodged  alone  in  my  house,  had  quiet  times, 
plenty  of  work  day  and  night.  The  Lord  was  with 
us.    In  the  two  yeare  there  were  near  a  thousand 


308 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


added  to  the  Church.  There  were  some  trials,  some 
difficult  cases ;  but  we  got  through  as  well  as  could  be 
expected.  I  found  it  easier  trying  to  preach  to  the 
colored  people  than  to  the  whites.  It  was  not  easy 
to  get  some  to  forgive  one  another,  as  God,  for  Christ's 
sake,  had  forgiven  them,  to  bear  with  the  weak,  and 
not  make  one  an  offender  for  a  word.  Some  would 
have  every  difficulty  "brought  to  trial  in  the  Church, 
make  no  distinction  between  offenses  or  crimes,  im- 
prudent conduct,  indulging  sinful  tempers  or  words. 
Some  seemed  to  have  a  vindictive  spirit,  would  seek 
revenge,  and  not  be  satisfied  unless  th^y  had  their 
own  way.  It  is  not  easy  to  learn  the  lesson  of  self- 
denial  completely  and  practice  it  daily.  I  thought 
I  could  do  more  good  among  the  colored  than  the 
white  people,  though  I  frequently  had  to  take  up  ray 
cross.  I  might  write  of  particular  meetings  and  cases, 
pleasant  and  painful,  happy  conversions,  and  triumph- 
ant deaths.  We  did  not  speak  of  being  hopefully 
converted ;  we  preferred  the  word  powerfully  sound- 
ly, or  happily,  to  the  word  hopefully.  Still  we  do  not 
speak  some  words  right.  When  we  speak  for  God  in 
his  house  we  should  speak  as  the  oracle  of  God,  not 
gentlemen  and  ladies;  this  may  do  at  parties; 
but  old  men  and  old  women,  young  men  and 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEK.  309 

young  women,  boys  and  girls,  is  the  Scriptural 
manner. 

"When  my  time  was  up  in  Baltimore,  at  the  Con- 
fei;ence  in  1836  I  was  sent  to  Ebenezer,  "Washington 
city.  Brother  S.  Ellis  was  my  colleague.  We  had 
two  meeting-houses,  the  white  and  the  colored  con- 
gregation ;  we  had  good  meetings,  some  increase, 
some  good  work,  no  very  hard  woi'k  ;  Brother  S.  Ellis 
was  a  great,  good  man,  plain,  solid,  and  faithful ;  we 
boarded  together ;  our  host  was  a  Hollander,  who 
was  intimate  with  a  priest  who  had  him  to  do  repairs 
for  him  frequently.  One  time  a  lock  was  out  of 
order,  and  while  the  priest  was  saying  mass  some 
of  his  members  drank  his  brandy.  When  he  com- 
plained about  it,  our  man  asked  him  whether  his 
members  confessed  all  their  sins  to  him  ?  He  said, 
'  0  yes !'  '  Then,'  said  he,  '  you'll  find  out  who  drank 
your  brandy ;'  but  though  our  man  asked  the  priest 
several  times  afterward  who  drank  his  brandy,  he 
said  he  could  not  tell.  The  priest  requested  our  man 
frequently  to  come  to  his  church  and  get  the  true 
religion.  I  told  him  to  ask  the  priest  the  following 
question  :  '  If  I  woi'ship  and  serve  the  Lord  while 
I  live,  and  die  a  Methodist,  can  I  go  to  heaven  V 
To  this  question  the  priest  gave  an  affirmative  an- 


310 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTJBEE. 


swer.  '  That  will  do,'  said  our  man ;  '  why  should  I 
join  your  Church  to  go  to  purgatory,  when  I  can 
go  to  heaven  a  Methodist.' 

"  Brother  Ellis  wrote  to  his  friends  in  England,  and 
among  other  things  he  said  that  we  had  different 
kinds  of  religion  and  sorts  of  people ;  some  were  on 
their  way  to  heaven  with  a  clear  title  and  a  bright 
prospect,  others  were  on  their  way  to  hell,  with  little 
doubt  of  getting  there ;  and  others  on  their  way  to 
purgatory,  very  thankful  for  the  privilege  of  going 
there. 

"This  is  an  extravagant  and  dangerous  place  to  live 
in ;  a  good  man  with  a  family,  not  very  large,  said 
he  could  not  pay  two  dollars  in  advance  for  the  Ad- 
vocate ;  had  not  the  money  ;  got  only  one  thousand 
dollai-s  a  year  ;  if  they  did  not  raise  his  salary  he  did 
not  know  what  to  do ;  he  looked  serious  at  me,  and 
said  :  '  If  you  got  my  salary  you  would  save  money.' 
I  said,  '  Yes,  sir,  at  least  half  Truly  economy  is 
not  fashionable  in  Washington  city.  Some  wanted 
me  to  beg  money  to  build  a  house  for  Sunday  school 
and  class-meetings.  I  told  them,  as  Congress 
would  meet  soon,  tliey  should  propose  me  for  a  chap- 
lain, and  every  dollar  I  got  there  they  should  have 
to  build  them  a  house.   And  they  might  promise 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


311 


that  I  would  preach  them  the  truth  as  plain  and 
honest  as  any  one  would  do  it ;  and  what  my  ser- 
mons lacked  in  quality,  should  be  made  up  in  quan- 
tity. They  never  had  such  a  generous  offer  before ; 
but  still  they  did  not  accept  of  my  proposal,  or  bring 
me  forward  to  honor  and  glory ;  our  people  were 
afraid  my  time  would  be  too  much  taken  up  with 
those  great  folks  in  the  great  house.  But  my  fears 
were,  that  they  would  not  want  me  there.  I  would 
have  tried  to  make  them  think  themselves  not  as 
great  and  as  good  as  they  ought  to  be  ;  they  talk  too 
much  and  too  long,  and  say  and  do  little ;  get  high 
wages,  and  set  bad  examples ;  have  horse-races,  gam- 
ble, have  dancing  parties,  employ  and  pay  mounte- 
banks, play-actors,  and  dancing-masters.  Have  men 
of  talents  no  better  way  to  improve  time  and  their 
minds?  There  might  be  an  apology  made  for  In- 
dians that  have  not  learned  better,  and  for  slaves 
that  want  some  pleasure  and  a  holiday.  Some  go 
out  and  shoot  at  each  other,  professing  to  be  men  of 
honor.    O  fie  !  fie ! 

While  in  Washington  he  attended  a  camp-meeting 
on  old  Frederic  circuit,  about  twelve  miles  from  the 
city.  He  took  occasion,  at  a  particular  time  when 
there  was  a  large  number  of  the  clergy  present,  of 


312 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


showing  up  fashionable  preachers  and  their  modes  of 
conduct  in  certain  cases.  He  chose  for  his  subject 
the  conversion  of  Saul  of  Tarsus.  Ananias,  who 
resided  at  Damascus,  was  made  to  represent  the 
velvet-lipped  modern  preacher.  He  thus  introduced 
the  subject:  "A  great  many  years  ago  a  bold  blas- 
phemer was  smitten  by  conviction  when  he  was  on 
his  way  to  Damascus  to  persecute  the  Christians. 
He  was  taken  to  Damascus  in  great  distress.  Ana- 
nias, after  hearing  of  the  concern  of  mind  under 
which  Saul  was  laboring,  started  out  to  find  him.  It 
seems  that  he  was  stopping  at  the  house  of  a  gentle- 
man by  the  name  of  Judas,  not  Judas  Iscariot,  for 
that  person  had  been  dead  several  yeare.  The  resi- 
dence of  this  gentleman  was  in  the  street  which  was 
called  Strait.  I  suppose  it  was  the  main  street,  or 
Broadway  of  the  city,  and  hence  it  was  not  diflScult 
to  find.  Arriving  at  the  mansion  he  rang  the  bell, 
and  soon  a  servant  made  her  appearance.  He 
addressed  her  thus :  '  Is  the  gentleman  of  the  house, 
Mr.  Judas,  within?'  'Yes,  sir,'  responded  the  serv- 
ant, '  he  is  at  home.'  Taking  out  a  glazed,  gilt-edged 
card,  on  which  was  printed,  Kev.  Mr.  Ananias,  he 
handed  it  to  the  'Servant  and  said :  '  Take  this  card  to 
him  quickly.'   Taking  a  seat,  with  his  hat,  cane,  and 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE, 


313 


gloves  in  his  left  hand,  his  right  being  employed  in 
arranging  his  classical  curls  so  as  to  present  as  much 
of  an  intellectual  air  as  possible,  he  awaited  an 
answer.  Presently  Mr.  Judas  makes  his  appearance, 
whereupon  Mr.  Ananias  rises,  and  making  a  graceful 
bow,  says :  '  Have  I  the  honor  to  address  Mr.  Judas, 
the  gentleman  of  the  house  V  '  That  is  my  name, 
sir ;  please  be  seated.'  '  I  have  called,  Mr.  Judas,  to 
inquire  if  a  gentleman  by  the  name  of  Mr.  Saul,  a 
legate  of  the  high  priest  at  Jerusalem,  is  a  guest  at 
your  house.'  'Yes,  sir;  Mr.  Saul  is  in  his  chamber, 
in  very  great  distress  and  trouble  of  mind.  He  was 
brought  here  yesterday,  having  fallen  from  his  horse 
a  few  miles  from  the  city  on  the  Jerusalem  road.' 
'0  I  am  very  sorry  to  hear  of  so  painful  an  accident. 
I  hope  he  is  not  dangerously  wounded.'  'jN^o,  sir,  I 
think  not,  though  the  fall  has  affected  his  sight  very 
much,  and  he  complains  considerable  and  prays  a 
good  deal.'  '  Well,  I  am  very  sorry  ;  but  that  is  not 
very  strange,  as  I  believe  he  belongs  to  that  sect  of 
the  Jews  called  Pharisees,  who  make  much  of  pray- 
ing. How  long  since  he  received  this  fall,  Mr. 
Judas?'  'About  three  days  since,  and  all  the  time 
he  has  not  taken  any  refreshment  or  rest.'  '  Indeed ! 
you  don't  say  so !  he  must  be  seriously  hurt.    May  I 


314 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER, 


be  permitted  to  see  Mr.  Saul?'  'I  will  ascertain  his 
pleasure,  Mr.  Ananias,  and  let  you  know  if  you  can 
have  an  interview.'  After  being  gone  a  short  time 
Mr.  Judas  returns,  and  says :  '  Mr.  Saul  will  be 
much  pleased  to  see  you.'  "When  he  is  ushered 
into  his  presence  Saul  is  reclining  on  his  couch  in 
a  room  partially  darkened.  Approaching  him,  Ana- 
nias says :  '  How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Saul  ?  I  under- 
stood yoxi  had  done  our  city  the  honof  of  a  visit. 
Hope  you  had  a  pleasant  journey.  How  did  you 
leave  all  the  friends  at  Jerusalem?  How  did  you 
leave  the  high  priest?  We  have  very  fine  weather, 
Mr.  Saul.  I  thought  I  would  call  and  pay  my 
respects  to  you,  as  I  was  anxious  to  have  some  con- 
versation with  yon  on  theological  subjects.  I  am 
extremely  sorry  to  hear  of  the  accident  that  hap- 
pened to  you  in  visiting  our  city,  and  hope  you  will 
soon  recover  from  your  indisposition.'  " 

Gruber  delivered  this  in  his  true  German  style, 
acting  it  all  out,  as  he  only  could,  and  the  whole 
thing  was  so  ludicrous  that  it  was  impossible  for  the 
audience  to  repress  their  feelings,  and  some  of  the 
clergy  laughed  outright. 

"  In  1837  my  appointment  was  on  Carlisle  circuit. 
I  found  it  a  small  patch  instead  of  a  field  of  labor, 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


315 


as  it  was  formerly.  But  small  as  it  was  there  were 
opposition  lines  running.  Four  camp-meetings : 
the  United  Brethren  had  one,  the  Radicals  had  one, 
we  had  one,  and  a  new  sort  .of  Baptists  had  one. 
this  new  sect  are  rigid  Baptists,  and  practice  dipping 
backward.  In  their  view  no  other  mode  is  right. 
In  washing  feet  they  wbre  rigid  Dunkers.  I  was  at 
their  camp-meeting  part  of  a  day  and  night.  Their 
chief  preacher  spoke  on  the  evening  of  their  feet- 
washing.  Among  other  things,  he  told  his  congrega- 
tion it  was  as  much  our  duty  to  wash  each  other's 
feet  as  to  take  the  sacrament;  that  they  might  as 
well  neglect  one  as  the  other.  I  was  a  spectator, 
and  they  invited  me  into  the  stand.  While  looking 
at  the  strange  work  of  washing  feet  in  a  large  con- 
gregation, the  preacher  came  to  me  and  asked  me 
what  I  thought  of  that?  I  told  him  I  was  at  a  loss 
to  know  what  to  say ;  I  had  been  at  more  than  one 
hundred  camp-meetings  in  forty  years  past,  had  seen 
hundreds  who  professed  to  be  converted  and  took 
the  sacrament,  but  never  saw  any  wash  feet  in  that 
way.  He  said  it  was  a  command.  I  said :  '  You 
told  your  congregation  so,  but  I  did  not  believe  it. 
If  it  was  a  command  why  did  not  the  apostles  do  it  ? 
there  is  no  account  of  their  ever  doing  it.'    He  said : 


316 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


'  If  they  neglected  their  duty  that  is  no  reason  we 
should.'  I  asked  whether  he  understood  Christ  bet- 
ter than  the  apostles  did  ?  Isot  one  of  them  said  we 
must  obey  this  command  ;  none  that  we  read  of 
ever  directed  or  exhorted  their  converts  to  do  it. 
He  went  down  and  had  his  feet  washed,  after  taking 
off  his  boots  and  stockings.  I  thought  it  was  not 
quite  like  old  times,  when  they  wore  sandals  or 
went  without  shoes,  and  feet  were  dusty.  I  was  a 
night  and  a  part  of  two  days  at  the  United  Brethren 
carap-meeting.  A  remark  that  a  sharp-looking  man 
made  in  my  hearing  in  a  company  around  a  fire 
took  my  attention.  They  were  saying  what  a  fine 
thing  it  was  for  preachere  and  membera  of  different 
Churches  to  preach,  pray,  and  work  together  as  at 
this  meeting  they  are  doing.  This  man  said :  '  O  yes ! 
you  are  like  persons  fishing  together,  all  harmony ; 
but  when  it  comes  to  stringing  up  the  fish,  then  we 
shall  see  how  you  agree  together.' 

"  I  think  the  Albrights  had  a  camp-meeting  too,  all 
in  the  bounds  of  the  circuit.  O  what  camp-meetings 
we  had  more  than  twenty  years  ago  in  this  circuit  I 
But  now  they  are  small,  being  so  many,  and  the 
people  divided,  scarce  the  shadow  of  what  they  have 
been.    What  shall  we  do  better  than  outpreach,  out- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


317 


pray,  and  outlive  each  other,  till  all  finish  their  work 
and  rest.  Here  are  curious  names  and  sects ;  some 
call  themselves  Christians,  and  some  the  Church  of 
God ;  you  cannot  speak  of  them  as  a  Church,  or  of  a 
person  belonging  to  them,  without  taking  the  name 
of  God  in  vain.  This  is  very  contracted.  Some  ask, 
Are  there  any  of  the  Church  of  God  among  the 
Christians,  or  an}-^  Christians  in  the  Church  of  God  ? 
Some  say,  'No.  '  The  temple  of  the  Lord,  the  temple 
of  the  Lord  are  we,'  was  said  of  old.  But  is  wis- 
dom and  religion  to  die  with  these  ? 

"Two  strange  men  came  along,  walking.  As  they 
passed  they  said  they  had  been  in  New  York,  and 
were  on  their  way  home  in  the  West.  They  held  sev- 
eral meetings,  called  themselves  '  Latter  Day  Saints.' 
In  conversation,  they  intimated  that  they  could 
work  miracles ;  but  spoke  very  cautiously,  now  and 
then  saying,  '  Our  meat  is  too  strong  for  you  !'  If  I 
had  seen  them  I  would  have  said,  '  Yes,  it  is  very 
strong,  it  is  tainted ;  go  and  bury  it  that  it  may  not 
poison  any  person.'  And  as  to  the  name  they  gave 
their  sect,  I  would  have  requested  them  not  to  come 
with  their  name  and  sect  about  here,  for  we  have 
more  names  and  sects  now  than  is  good ;  have  pity 
on  us ;  bring  us  no  more.    But  if  you  will  have 


318 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


a  name  change  two  words  ;  instead  of  day,  say  night ; 
and  instead  of  saints,  say  owls  ;  then  they  would  not 
abuse  the  light,  nor  be  a  reproach  to  saints.  1 
wonder  if  there  are  any  'Christians,'  or  any  of  the 
'  Church  of  God,'  among  these  self-styled  saints.  Who 
can  tell  ?  Truly  the  days  are  dai-k  and  evil ;  iniquity 
is  abounding,  and  infidels  multiplying,  and  gaining 
sand  and  mire,  not  ground,  or  a  rock,  to  stand  on  for 
a  sure  foundation.    Lord,  revive  thy  work  ! " 

This  year  he  attended  a  camp-meeting  on  Hunting- 
ton circuit,  which  he  had  traveled  in  former  years. 
The  people  were  delighted  to  see  him,  and  his  old 
friends  gathered  round  him  with  many  demonstra- 
tions of  joy  at  his  arrival.  A  Universalist  preacher 
by  the  name  of  Crow,  who  had  formerly  been  a 
zealous  Methodist,  and  possessed  considerable  talents 
and  aptitude  for  discussion,  was  on  the  ground,  and 
was  exerting  a  pernicious  influence  on  the  minds  of 
the  young  people,  whom  he  gathered  together  in  dif- 
ferent places  and  harangued  on  the  subject  of  uni- 
versal salvation.  The  Methodists  and  Presbyterians 
manifested  a  good  deal  of  anxiety,  and  were  fearful 
of  his  making  inroads  upon  their  flocks.  Before 
Gruber  arrived  he  had  challenged  a  number  of 
preachere  to  a  pjiblic  discussion,  and  had  become 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


319 


quite  boastful.  Among  other  of  his  statements  he 
had  said  that  St.  Paul  was  converted-  in  the  third 
heavens,  and  all  who  should  happen  not  to  be  re- 
formed in  this  world  would  certainly  be  converted  in 
the  next.  On  Sabbath  morning  there  was  an  im- 
mense congregation  on  the  ground.  Two  very  able 
discourses  were  preached  by  visiting  ministers,  both 
of  whom  leveled  their  artillery  at  Universalism.  It 
was  arranged  that  Gruber  should  preach  at  three 
o'clock,  but  at  the  conclusion  of  the  last  sermon  he 
rose  in  the  stand  and  stated  that  he  would  change  the 
appointment  to  two  o'clock,  adding  that  he  "  ex- 
pected to  have  the  largest  and  most  respectable  con- 
gregation that  had  been  convened.  The  young 
ladies  and  gentlemen  who  have  been  strolling  about 
will  be  tired  by  that  time  and  want  to  rest;  the 
drunkards  and  gluttons  will  be  dry  and  hungry,  and 
will  have  gone  for  their  fodder."  When  the  trumpet 
sounded  for  preaching  there  was  a  general  rush  from 
all  quarters  for  seats.  After  the  preliminary  exer- 
cises he  took  his  text  and  launched  off  in  his  happiest 
style.  All  kinds  of  sin  were  exposed  and  denounced. 
After  giving  to  saint  and  sinner  their  portion  he 
made  a  pass  at  Universalism,  and  showed  up  some  of 
its  peculiar  features.  Pausing,  and  looking  unusually 


320 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


grave,  he  said:  "I  understand  that  a  gentleman 
who  is  on  the"  ground  has  made  a  wonderful  discov- 
ery, and  has  been  proclaiming  an  extraordinary  doc- 
trine. I  understand  that  he  says  St.  Paul  was  con- 
verted in  the  third  heavens,  and  that  if  a  man  can't 
be  converted  her-e  in  this  life  he  can  be  converted 
there  in  the  next.  Now  any  man  who  could  con- 
ceive of  such  a  thing  must  have  been  born  in  a 
crow's  nest,  and  he  must  have  been  brought  up  in  a 
crow's  nest,  as  he  never  could  get  any  higher.  He 
must  have  been  fed  on  dry  bones,  without  any  meat  on 
them  or  marrow  in  them.  Lord,  stir  up  this  crow's 
nest!  Lord,  the  crow  is  a  very  ugly  bird;  it  is  all 
black;  make  it  white.  It  has  a  harsh  croaking  noise ; 
Lord,  put  a  new  song  in  its  mouth,  even  praise  to  our 
God.  Lord,  give  it  wings,  that  it  may  fl}"^  away  to 
the  third  heavens  and  get  converted." 
.  Poor  Crow  was  completely  demolished,  and  very 
soon  left  the  camp-ground,  which  gave  great  relief  to 
members  of  the  Church  who  had  been  so  much 
annoyed  by  his  teachings. 

"  On  ray  way  to  camp-meeting  one  night  in  the 
Packet,"  Gruber  says,  "  two  respectable  looking  men 
were  playing  cards  for  some  time,  very  attentive  to 
their  spotted  pa|ier.  As  I  walked  past  them  I  stopped 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


321 


and  looked  on  a  little.  They  stopped  playing.  I 
said :  '  Now  you  know  who  can  beat,  or  play  best ; 
I  w^onder  which  of  you  can  pray  best ;  I  would  like 
to  hear  you  at  it.'  After  a  pause,  they  inquired  after 
Messrs.  Bascom,  Maffitt,  and  Durbin ;  these  great 
preachers  they  admired  very  much ;  and  they  es- 
teemed great  talents,  and  loved  and  played  cards. 
What  good  had  preaching  done  them  ?  One  said  his 
wife  was  a  Methodist. 

"  On  Carlisle  circuit  we  had  a  comfortable  year, 
considering  oppositions  and  trials ;  we  had  some  in- 
crease, though  many  had  moved  away.  The  moving 
spirit  is  a  serious  injury  to  many;  some  who  are 
doing  well  want  to  do  better  and  live  easier ;  they 
give  up  a  certainty  for  an  uncertainty,  lose  their 
privileges,  their  zeal,  and  their  love,  and  by  the  time 
they  get  to  what  was  to  be  a  paradise,  they  find  it  a 
pui-gatory.  Some  courageously  move  back  to  where 
they  came  from  ;  others  are  not  able,  or  ashamed,  so 
they  write,  and  tell  their  friends  all  the  good  about 
their  new  home,  to  get  them  with  them.  Many 
lose  their  religious  enjoyment.  Why  so  ?  Because 
they  desire  or  '  will  be  rich,  and  fall  into  temp- 
tation and  a  snare,  and  into  many  hurtful  lusts, 

whicli   drown   men  in  perdition  and  destruction.' 

21 


322 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


Troubled  and  careful  about  many  things,  they  for- 
get and  neglect  the  one  thing  needful ;  barter  the 
pearl  of  great  price  for  toys ;  ■  a  kingdom  for  dust 
and  ashes ;  their  Saviour  for  money  ;  their  birthright 
for  a  mess  of  pottage;  their  religion  for  rum, 
whisky,  brandy,  and  gin. 

"  I  finished  my  work  in  Carlisle  circuit  in  one  year. 
In  a  small  circuit  a  single  man  ought  not  to  be  two 
years ;  he  becomes  a  burden  to  some  families,  in 
some  places  gets  the  name  of  being  lazy,  or  has  to  go 
fishing,  hunting,  etc.  In  concluding  my  year  on  the 
circuit,  I  did  as  I  had  done  once  before ;  I  took  one 
of  my  rest  weeks  and  went  and  got  married,  but  did 
not  miss  or  lose  one  appointment.  After  being  alone 
for  more  than  three  years  and  six  months  I  thought 
it  my  privilege  and  duty  to  get  a  particular  and  con- 
fidential friend,  a  bosom  friend,  and  a  home  to  rest 
when  work  is  done  and  traveling  ended.  Some 
appear  to  be  very  kind  and  friendly,  but  expect  to 
be  well  paid  for  it.  And  some  would  be  glad  if  their 
friends  would  die  soon,  to  get  their  pay  for  friendship, 
and  they  would  dress  over  head  and  ears  in  mourn- 
ing; such  friends  are  not  to  be  trusted  much. 

"In  1838  I  was  again  stationed  in  Baltimore,  at 
Sharp-street  and  Asbury,  having  been  away  only 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


323 


two  years ;  there  were  reasons  for  it  not  necessary  to 
state.  I  did  not  consider  it  a  very  great  favor.  I 
knew  what  was  expected,  and  thought  I  could  do 
more  good  there  than  in  some  other  places.  There 
was  not  a  station  in  the  conference  that  had  more 
work,  or  required  more  attention.  We  got  along 
in  our  usual  course,  had  a  good  work ;  but  I  could 
not  finish  it,  so  I  had  to  stay  another  year.  Then  we 
repaired  and  enlarged  '  Old  Wesley  Meeting-house,' 
and  built  a  new  meeting-house  on  Orchard -street, 
which  made  four  houses  for  worship,  and  about  one 
dozen  and  a  half  of  colored  preachers,  besides  exhort- 
ers  and  leaders,  to  carry  on  the  good  work.  We  had 
to  conclude  our  meetings  by  ten  o'clock  at  night,  so 
that  all  might  keep  good  hours,  according  to  law. 
We  had  some  good  revivals  in  all  our  congregations ; 
not  like  a  revival  some  years  ago,  of  which  a  good 
brother  preacher  said,  'Another  such  revival  would 
ruin  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  the  city.' 
A  number  of  gay  and  fashionable  persons  professed 
to  get  converted,  and  joined  the  Church  with  all 
their  gayety  and  frippery — lace,  ruffles,  curls,  rings, 
lockets — hanging  about  them,  like  Jacob's  flock, 
spotted,  speckled,  ring-streaked,  and  grizzled.  How- 
ever, there  was  no  religion  in  their  appearance  or 


324 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


dress ;  it  was  in  their  souls,  and  could  not  be  seen, 
no.  I  never  found  as  large  a  number  of  members 
as  plain  as  Sharp-street  and  Asbury  Methodists. 
I  preferred  trying  to  preach  to  them  above  any  other 
congregation  in  Baltimore.  When  we  had  the 
Orchard-street  church  built  we  found  it  necessary  to 
have  a  school-house  for  Sunday-school  and  class-meet- 
ings. I  engaged  a  man  to  build  one,  and  found  a 
friend  to  go  half  with  me  in  paying  for  it.  So  I  paid 
out  about  as  much  as  I  received  that  year,  and  they 
have  the  benefit.  So  let  it  be,  and  the  Lord  bless 
them  abundantly.  When  they  had  an  extra  meeting 
and  revival  in  the  white  congregations  I  went  in  as  I 
passed  coming  from  my  meeting.  ^Sometimes  I  saw 
many  mourners  at  tlie  altar,  and  the  preacher  would 
still  invite  more  forward,  telling  them  they  would 
labor  with  them  and  pray  for  them  till  the  Lord 
would  bless  them.    Then  sing, 

'  Come,  0  thou  traveler  unknown,' 
«         *         *         •  « 
'  With  thee  all  night  I  mean  to  stay. 
And  wrestle  till  the  break  of  day.' 

But  soon  look  at  the  watch  and  say  it  is  time  to  con- 
clude ;  it  is  near  ten  o'clock.  There  was  no  law 
requiring  white  people  to  be  so  exact.   I  pitied 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


325 


mourners  sent  away  soon  after  they  came.  I  whis- 
pered to  the  preacher  to  sing, 

'  With  thee  till  ten  I  mean  to  stay, 
And  sing  until  I  go  away.' 

He  said  that  was  not  in  the  book.  I  said  it  was  in 
the  practice.  Let  them  know  we  are  in  earnest,  and 
mean  what  we  say  and  sing." 

During  the  session  of  the  conference,  which  was 
held  in  Baltimore,  a  brother  minister,  who  had  known 
Rachel  Martin  before  her  marriage,  and  had  fre- 
quently enjoyed  the  hospitalities  of  her  house  in 
Lewistown,  thought  it  right  and  proper  to  pay  her  a 
visit,  and  took  the  earliest  opportunity  for  doing  so. 
He  called  at  the  house,  where  they  were  staying,  and 
inquired  for  Mr.  Gruber.  Soon  Mr.  Gruber  made 
his  appearance  at  the  door,  and  the  ministerial 
brother  addressed  him  in  the  old  familiar  way :  "  Good 
morning,  Brother  Gruber ;  how  do  you  do,  sir ;  I 
hope  you  are  very  well ;  I  understand  you  have  been 
getting  married  again.  Brother  Gruber." 

"Well,"  said  Gruber,  bluntly,  "what  is  that  of 
your  business  ?" 

"  Nothing ;  only  I  thought  I  would  call  and  con- 
gratulate you  on  so  happy  an  event." 


326 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


"I  don't  want  to  be  congratulated,  sir." 

"  I  had  the  pleasure  of  knowing  your  lady,  and  of 
frequently  stopping  at  her  house  when  I  traveled  the 
Lewistown  circuit." 

"  I  haven't  got  any  lady." 

"  "Well,  I  should  like  to  pay  my  respects  to  Mrs. 
Gruber." 

"  She  is  respectable  enough." 

"But  may  I  not  be  permitted  to  see  her?" 

"  I  don't  keep  her  for  a  show." 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEK. 


327 


CHAPTER  XL 

LewistowTi  —  Removal  —  Eachel  Martin's  House  —  Gniber  outdone  —  An 
Irish  Family  —  "Wesley's  Bed  —  An  Episcopal  Parson  —  Undeserved 
Compliment — A  liberal  Circuit  —  A  new  Thing  uiTder  the  Moon  — 
Mifflin  Circuit — "A  better  Day  coming" — Animal  Excitement  — 
•  Churcli  Building  —  Methodist  Preachers'  Salaries  —  A  Bargain  pro- 
posed—  Meaning  of  the  Word  all  —  Trough  Creek  Circuit  —  A  bad 
State  of  Things  —  Keformers  —  Camp-meetings  —  A  Slip  —  Tobacco 
Chewing  and  Feet  Washing- —  The  "  holy  Kiss  "  —  A  Church  sold. 

"We  shall  continue  the  personal  narrative:  "At 
the  conference  in  1840  I  was  sent  to  Lewistown 
circuit.  I  moved  from  Baltimore  to  Lewistown, 
on  the  Juniata  River,  the  county  town  of  Mifflin 
county.  Here  my  wife  had  a  house  left  her  by  her 
first  husband  during  her  life ;  in  this  she  has  lived 
since,  while  I  have  traveled  different  circuits.  Some 
have  asked  me,  Where  do  you  live  ?  I  answer.  In  Ra- 
chel Martin's  house.  This  is  correct,  for  when  she  dies 
the  family  of  Mr.  Martin's  brother  are  to  have  the 
house.  Lewistown  circuit  was  an  easy  four  weeks' 
circuit ;  little  or  no  room  for  enlarging ;  burdened 
with  meeting-house  debts,  etc.  We  dragged  heavily, 
worked  hard,  had  some  success  at  camp -meeting 


328 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


and  other  meetings ;  revivals  in  difi'erent  places  the 
first  year.  In  the  second  year  on  this  circuit  we  had 
a  greater  work,  considerable  additions  to  the  Church' 
"We  built  a  new  meeting-house,  and  had  money 
enough  subscribed  at  the  dedication  to  pay,  and  have 
it  clear  and  all  complete." 

While  he  was  living  in  "  Rachel  Martin's  house," 
as  he  called  it,  he  was  much  annoyed  by  the  boys  in 
the  town,  who  enjoyed  themselves  in  the  winter 
sport  of  sliding  down  a  hill  near  the  house  on  their 
sleds.  Having  no  children  himself,  he  did  not  wish 
to  be  disturbed  by  other  people's.  After  bearing  the 
noise  as  long  as  his  nerves  and  patience  would  al- 
low, he  sallied  forth  to  stop  them.  He  remonstrated 
with  them,  and  urged  them  to  desist ;  but  the  urchins 
with  their  sleds  were  too  much  attached  to  their  sport 
to  yield  what  they  regarded  as  their  right  for  "  any 
slight  or  transient  cause."  After  respecting  him 
enough  to  listen  to  his  entreaty  and  demands,  one  of 
the  Young  Americas  drew  up  his  sled  for  z.  fadlis 
decensus  of  the  hill.  Gruber  determined  to  stop  him, 
and  for  this  purpose  planted  himself  firmly  on  the 
sled.  The  young  rogues  seeing  this,  and  taking  a 
hint  from  their  leader,  simultaneously  made  a  push 
for  the  parson,  and  before  he  had  time  to  dismount 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


329 


away  went  the  sled  down  the  slippery  truck  with  a 
momentum  that  could  not  be  arrested.  Away  went 
Gruber,  and,  John  Gilpin  like,  away  went  his  hat, 
amid  the  shouts  of  the  boys.  Never  had  he  a  swifter 
nor  yet  a  safer  passage  in  the  down-hill  of  life,  and 
when  he  reached  the  bottom  and  returned  for  the 
covering  of  his  caput,  he  was  a  wiser  if  not  a  better 
man.  Not  a  word  did  he  say  to  the  boys,  but  delib- 
erately walked  home.  For  once  in  his  life  his  wit 
and  judgment  both  failed  him  ;  he  was  completely 
outdone. 

Gruber  at  one  time  visited  a  family  in  Pennsylva- 
nia who  were  from  Ireland.  They  were  staunch 
Methodists  of  the  old  school,  and  husband  and  wife 
both  prided  themselves  on  being  acquainted  with 
Wesley  and  his  coadjutors.  Their  house  was  a  com- 
fortable and  quiet  home  for  the  itinerants  of  those 
days.  This  good  mother  in  Israel  was  a  subscriber 
to  Dr.  Clarke's  Commentary,  which  was  at  that  time 
•being  published  in  parts.  Every  number  that  came 
she  read  with  the  most  wonderful  interest.  In  this 
respect  she  was  in  advance  of  some  of  the  preachers, 
and  being  shrewd  and  intelligent  she  frequently 
puzzled  them  with  questions  in  theology.  Gruber 
found  not  only  rest  but  enjoyment  in  this  preachers' 


330 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


home.  The  first  morning  after  lodging  in  the  house 
he  was  approached  by  the  good  woman,  who  said : 
"  Now,  Brother  G-ruber,  you  can  say  what  you  never 
could  before." 

"  What  is  that?"  he  replied. 

"  Why,"  said  she,  "  you  slept  last  night  in  the  bed 
that  Mr.  Wesley  slept  in." 

"  How  is  that  ?"  said  Gruber. 

"  Why,  the  last  time  he  was  in  Ireland  he  lodged 
with  us  in  that  very  bed,  and  I  have  always  kept  it 
for  the  preachers  to  sleep  in." 

She  told  him  about  a  Church  parson  in  this  coun- 
try who  had  been  one  of  Mr.  Wesley's  preachera  in 
Ireland,  but  who,  in  consequence  of  yielding  to  a 
besetment,  was  expelled  from  the  connection.  After 
coming  to  this  country  he  entered  the  Episcopal 
Church.  Being  in  that  neighborhood,  he  called  at 
this  house  and  was  kindly  entertained.  Od  leaving 
he  was  requested  to  call  again  whenever  he  came 
that  way,  as  he  would  be  made  perfectly  welcome' 
on  the  consideration  that  he  had  once  been  one  of 
Wesley's  preachers.  The  good  lady  remarked  that 
David  respected  Saul  because  he  was  the  Lord's 
anointed,  and  she  would  respect  him  because  he  was 
once  a  preacher  in  the  Wesleyan  connection,  but 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


331 


not  because  he  was  a  parson  and  became  frisky 
sometimes.  ISTot  regarding  this  as  a  very  great  com- 
pliment, he  left  rather  hastily,  and  it  is  not  known 
that  he  ever  called  again. 

Of  this  year's  labors  Gruber  says :  *'  Upon  the 
whole  we  had  a  considerable  increase,  and  the  circuit 
was  in  a  good  condition;  but  for  several  years  after  it 
suffered  much  through  neglect  in  visiting  members 
and  families  by  preachers  and  leaders,  dropping  some 
appointments,  and  opening  a  door  for  an  opposition 
to  run  up  to  us  and  over  us.  In  one  place  a  meet- 
,ing-house  was  built  against  us,  where,  if  our  preach- 
ers and  members  had  attended  to  their  duty,  there 
would  have  been  no  success  against  us.  So  we  lost 
what  we  had  in  possession — first  claim,  by  survey  and 
improvement;  must  we  lose  our  labor  and  members? 

"  In  this  circuit  was  a  hard  case.  A  good  brother, 
though  weak  and  complaining,  not  able  to  do  his 
work,  labored  hard  to  get  his  claim  or  demand,  and 
begged  more  than  a  hundred  and  thirty  dollars  one 
year  for  the  Missionary  Society,  and  got  credit  for  hav- 
ing done  better  than  any  other  in  the  district.  But 
a  secret  was  not  told  ;  he  left  the  rent  of  the  house  in 
which  he  lived  the  whole  year  unpaid,  above  seventy 
dollars;  the  stewards  had  to  pay  it  after  he  was  gone. 


332 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


The  circuit  stood  high  for  liberality ;  had  two  mar- 
ried preachei-s  sent  on  it  together.  The  missionary 
money  has  been  some  less  ever  since. 

A  word  about  claims.  We  spoke  and  read  about 
allowance  formerly;  then  the  preacher's  work  and  duty 
was  stated  in  the  Discipline ;  now,  whether  there  is 
work  for  a  preacher  on  a  circuit  half  his  time,  or  if  he 
does  but  half  his  duty,  still  we  hear  about  his  claims ; 
his  salary  must  be  made  up.  This  is  rather  a  new 
thing  under  the  moon.  After  some  preachers  have 
planned  and  cut  up  a  circuit,  without  consulting  stew- 
ards or  quarterly  conference,  made  a  four  weeks'  cir- 
cuit out  of  ten  or  twelve  appointments,  then  comes 
the  complaint ;  the  circuit  don't  pay  their  preachers, 
and  the  preachers  seldom  meet  a  class.  Little  work, 
little  pay.  Some  ask.  What  shall  we  do  ?  '  Why  get 
work  and  do  it,  or  rest.  Let  such  as  are  not  able  or 
willing,  old  or  young,  to  fill  ten  or  twelve  appoint- 
ments in  four  weeks,  and  meet  the  classes,  be  super- 
numerary or  locate ;  then  there  will  be  room  for 
young  men,  able  and  willing  to  work. 

"  In  1842  I  was  sent  to  Mifilin  circuit,  a  small  two 
weeks'  circuit.  Some  said  it  was  hard,  and  they  had 
had  many  disappointments  in  time  past.  I  found  no 
difficulty  in  filling  all  the  appointments  in  eight  or 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


333 


nine  days.  We  labored,  prayed,  and  looked  for  good 
days  and  prosperity,  and  some  sung : 

'  There's  a  better  day  a  coming.' 

We  were  not  disappointed.  The  Lord  began  to 
revive  bis  work  among  the  members  generally  around 
the  circuit. 

"  In  1843  I  was  sent  back  to  finish  my  work ;  got  a 
few  new  places  to  jgfeach  at,  and  a  considerable  revi- 
val in  several  places.  We  had  a  good  work  at  our 
camp-meeting,  a  powerful  work  at  two  quarterly 
meetings,  and  at  some  other  meetings.  Some  count- 
ed about  twenty  converts  at  each ;  we  had  a  large 
increase  for  a  small  circuit.  Some  promising  young 
men  were  among  the  converts.  We  had  a  great 
meeting  in  the  court-house,  crowded  full,  and 
the  bar  filled  with  mourners ;  a  new  thing  here. 
There  was  a  great  excitement;  some  were  disturbed 
by  the  noise ;  some  preachers  called  it  an  animal  ex- 
citement. Some  time  before  there  was  a  great  show 
of  wild  and  tame  animals  in  the  town,  and  large 
crowds  of  people,  from  town  and  country,  went  to 
see  them,  and  paid  for  the  sight.  I  took  the  liberty 
to  tell  my  congregation  (after  there  was  such  an 
opposition  to  our  noisy  meeting)  that  the  animal 


334 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKTJBEE. 


excitement  was  not  in  our  meeting,  but  at  the  show, 
where  men,  women,  and  children,  preachers  and 
liearers,  all  flocked  together  to  see  monkeys  and 
apes,  and  other  animals;  there  was  a  great  animal 
excitement  that  cost  much  more,  and  was  much  less 
profit  to  the  people,  than  our  meeting,  except  to  the 
showman  and  tavern-keepers. 

"We  built  a  meeting-house,  and  had  it  nearly  clear 
of  debt;  it  was  dedicated  to  the^Lord,  and  the  Lord 
answered  prayer  and  blessed  souls  in  it.  He  filled  it 
with  glory  and  we  gave  him  glory. 

"In  my  last  week  on  the  circuit  I  appointed  a  board 
of  trustees  for  another  meeting-house,  and  promised 
to  give  as  much  as  any  one  among  them  would  give 
in  money,  which  they  remembered  and  sent  and  got 
it.  This  year  I  got  a  little  more  than  single  preach- 
er's allowance.  A  certain  preacher  told  his  congre- 
gation the  Methodist  preachers  got  more  or  higher 
salaries  than  they  got  in  their  Church.  I  saw  him 
and  asked  him  how  he  found  out  what  we  got;  he  said, 
'  In  the  Discipline.'  I  said  :  '  That  tells  the  allowance ; 
but  if  only  half  is  given  us  we  can  sue  no  one  for 
more  or  demand  it  as  a  debt.  I  will  make  a  bargain 
with  you;  the  stewards  shall  give  you  every  dollar  I 
get  in  these  two  years  for  what  you  get  in  one  year.' 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK.  335 

He  said  I  did  not  know  how  little  he  got.  I  said  I 
never  inquired  how  much  he  got,  for  it  was  none  of 
my  business,  but  I  would  risk  it.  He  said  he  only 
got  about  three  hundred  and  sixty  or  seventy  dollars 
that  year.  I  said,  'I  get  about  two  hundred  and 
twenty  or  thirty  for  the  two  years.  Now  make  your 
speculation.' 

"  Another  preacher  told  me  Christ  did  not  die  for 
all.  All  did  not  mean  all,  as  in  the  decree  that  went 
out  that '  all  the  world  should  be  taxed.'  I  said  that 
decree  went  forth  from  Cesar,  so  the  Lord  did  not 
decree  everything.  But  did  Christ  only  die  for  all 
the  Koman  empire?  No,  he  died  for  every  man. 
I  told  him  a  priest  could  help  him  to  another  proof 
that  all  did  not  mean  all ;  for  when  Christ  said, 
'Drink  ye  all  of  this,'  the  priest  says  that  does  not 
mean  all,  only  the  priest.  Sometimes  it  means  all, 
that  is,  ye  priests,  drink  ye  all,  namely,  drink  all  the 
wine. 

"  In  1844  I  was  appointed  to  Trough  Creek  circuit, 
which  had  been  a  four  weeks'  circuit,  with  two 
preachers  on  it.  I  could  fill  all  the  appointments  in 
two  weeks,  but  had  to  have  three  Sundays,  so  I  filled 
all  the  appointments,  and  as  many  more  as  I  could 
get,  in  two  weeks  and  one  day.    Then  I  had  time  to 


336 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


be  with  my  family  three  days  in  three  weeks.  There 
had  been  disappointments,  class-meetings  neglected, 
our  members  discouraged.  Our  preachers  had  got  a 
name  of  being  lazy,  and  afraid  of  bad  weather  and 
the  work,  etc.  Other  preachers  came  along,  very 
zealous,  professing  to  preach  the  same  doctrine.  Our 
people  wanted  more  meetings,  went  to  hear  and  help, 
and  were  silly  enough  to  think  it  was  all  one.  So, 
through  neglect  and  carelessness,  we  lost  the  ground 
we  had  long  cultivated.  Confusion  and  discord  came 
into  classes,  fixmilies,  and  congregations,  some  pull- 
ing down  what  others  built  up,  forming  new 
churches.  Still  it  was  to  be  all  one,  all  united. 
Some  made  an  improvement  on  our  class-meetings 
and  love-feasts  by  keeping  open  doors,  and  not  being 
contracted  or  bigoted,  but  still  called  them  by  our 
names.  Others  made  an  improvement  on  our  gov- 
ernment in  the  Church.  The  bishops  were  danger- 
ous, tyrannical  monsters,  with  large,  strong  horns  and 
long  tails.  Afraid  of  being  horned  or  switched,  they 
went  and  made  for  themselves  a  president,  gov- 
ernors, etc.  As  republicans  the}'  may  need  sheriffs 
and  constables  to  support  the  government.  Others 
came  and  found  a  set  of  unbaptized  heathens,  who 
had  only  been  sprinkled ;  they  raised  a  dust  and  fished 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTJBEE. 


33Y 


in  muddy  water;  would  have  persons  buried  in  a 
liquid  grave.  Others  want  even  such  to  be  ducked 
forward  three  times  to  get  right  and  fit  for  their 
table  or  communion.    Alas  for  Babel ! 

"  In  the  midst  of  this  variety,  anxiety,  and  con- 
fusion we  had  good  meetings,  some  conversions,  and 
a  very  good  camp-meeting.  A  number  professed  to 
find  peace  and  salvation.  What  a  pity  that  the 
enemy  still  sows  tares  among  the  wheat,  and  discord 
among  brethren.  An  old  man  who  had  been  a 
Methodist  some  years  made  a  slip,  got  out,  and  under 
the  water.  His  faith  was  only  as  large  as  a  grain 
of  tobacco  seed.  He  was  a  great  chewer  of  the 
weed ;  believed  greatly  in  washing  feet  and  saluting, 
and  had  been  ducked  three  times.  He  asked  me, 
'How  do  you  get  over  the  command,  "Salute  one 
another  with  a  holy  kiss  ?"'  I  told  him,  'Some  of  our 
members  do  kiss  each  other.  But  how  can  persons 
salute  with  a  holy  kiss  who  are  not  holy,  and  do  not 
believe  in  the  doctrine  of  holiness  ?  And  how  can  a 
person  give  a  clean  kiss  with  a  plug  of  tobacco  in  his 
mouth  V 

"  In  my  first  round  on  the  circuit  I  was  told  that 

one  of  our  best  meeting-houses  was  to  be  sold  by 

the  sheriff  the  next  week,  and  they  could  not  save  it. 

22 


338 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


I  told  our  members  they  must  buy  it  iu,  we  could 
not  do  without  it.  They  bought  it,  and  when  the 
sheriflTs  deed  had  to  be  made  I  advanced  the  money. 
Some  subscribed  to  raise  money,  and  gave  me  orders 
on  a  storekeeper;  he  gave  me  his  note,  and  next  I 
heard  he  failed.  But  we  have  the  meeting-house 
safe  and  secure.  I  got  about  as  much  quarterage  on 
the  circuit  as  I  paid  for  their  meeting-house.  I 
missed  no  appointment,  finished  my  work  on  Trough 
Creek  circuit  in  one  year,  and  left  many  kind  friends 
behind,  who  pity  me,  and,  I  hope,  pray  for  me. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


339 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Warrior's  Mark  Circnit — "Witches — An  Ugly  old  "Woman  —  Consist- 
ency—  A  "Witch  tried  —  Shirleysburgh  Circuit  —  A  Friendly  Family 
—  Education  of  Daughters  in  Catholic  Seminary  —  Anxiety  of  the 
Mother  —  Keflections  —  Personal  Interview  —  Admission  —  Purgatory 
— Location — Heaven  —  Priestcraft  —  Short  "Way  with  the  Catholics  — 
Conversation  with  a  Priest— "Old  Mother  Church"  — The  True 
Church  —  St.  Peter  a  sorry  Foundation  —  Invincible  Ignorance  —  A 
Mass  Meeting — High  Mass — Low  Mass  —  The  Original  Languages  — 
Horse  and  Mass  in  Latin. 

In  1845  he  was  stationed  on  Warrior's  Mark  cir- 
cuit. In  his  journal  he  relates  the  following  story 
about  "witches : 

"  At  one  of  my  appointments  in  a  private  house 
the  man  and  his  "wife  "were  very  kind  to  me.  They 
let  me  know  that  they  had  been  much  troubled  with 
witches.  Sometimes  saw  strange  things  flying  in  the 
air,  lost  some  of  their  cattle,  and  some  of  their  cows 
gave  bloody  milk.  There  was  an  ugly  old  woman 
in  the  neighborhood  who,  they  thought,  was  a  witch. 
They  had  to  go  a  distance  to  a  witch  doctor,  who 
took  pity  on  them,  and  did  not  let  them  come  often; 
but  let  them  know  what  the  means  and  ingredients 
were,  and  where  and  how  to  get  them,  that  they 


340 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


might  master  the  witch.  They  told  me,  as  I  was  a 
young  man,  I  might  get  troubled,  so  they  kindly  in- 
formed me  how  to  conquer  the  witches.  I  have  never 
been  troubled  by  them,  but  I  am  very  sorry  that  many 
persons  are  bewitched;  that  we  have  to  say  as  St. 
Paul  wrote  to  the  Galatians:  'Who  hath  bewitched 
you  that  ye  should  not  obey  the  truth?'  Among  the 
works  of  the  flesh  is  witchcraft,  and  I  fear  priestcraft 
is  worse.  I  do  not  think  that  all  the  witches  in  our 
country  could  blindfold,  humbug,  and  make  as  many 
and  as  great  fools  as  the  priests  do.  The  ignorance, 
superstition,  profaneness,  and  intemperance  of  many 
of  their  adherents  is  alarming.  Ti'ue,  they  eat  no 
meat  on  Friday,  but  fish  flesh.  But  many  will  get 
drunk  on  the  holy  Sabbath ;  go  to  the  tavern  rather 
than  a  house  of  worship,  unless  it  is  a  mass-house  or 
a  confession  box. 

"  I  heard  of  a  squire  who  had  to  summon  an  old 
woman  to  answer  for  the  disturbance  she  caused  the 
neighborhood.  It  was  said  she  was  a  witch.  The 
complaints  against  her  were  various  and  serious. 
Some  had  seen  her  come  out  of  the  top  of  a  chimney 
and  fly  in  the  air;  others  said  she  had  rode  their 
horses,  at  least  they  saw  her  stirrups  in  the  horees' 
manes ;  others  had  seen  her  ride  a  broomstick,  etc. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


341 


The  squire,  after  hearing  their  -complaints  and  testi- 
mony, told  them  he  would  always  be  ready  to  give 
them  law  and  justice ;  but  at  that  time  he  could  not 
do  anything  for  them.  There  was  no  law  against 
anything  they  brought  against  the  old  woman ;  any 
of  them  might  do  what  they  said  the  old  woman  had 
done — go  out  of  the  top  of  a  chimney,  fly  in  the  air, 
or  ride  a  broomstick  if  they  could,  and  there  was  no 
law  to  punish  them  for  it.  So  he  dismissed  them. 
They  went  away  disappointed,  but  a  little  wiser  in 
this  free  and  happy  country,  where  even  old  and 
homely  women,  though  said  to  be  witches,  are 
allowed  to  live  without  being  weighed,  drowned,  or 
hung.  To  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and 
obey  the  truth,  is  the  most  effectual  way  to  guard 
against  the  works  of  the  flesh,  the  works  of  darkness, 
ghosts,  and  goblins.  Walking  after  the  Spirit,  walk- 
ing in  the  light,  is  the  safe  and  certain  way  to  heaven 
and  endless  light." 

The  year  following  he  was  sent  to  Shirleysburgh 
circuit,  and  met  with  his  usual  success  in  preach- 
ing the  Gospel.  The  following  incident,  as  re- 
lated by  him,  occurred  while  he  was  traveling  this 
circuit : 

"  I  was  in  a  village,  and  lodged  at  the  house  of  a 


342 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


friendly  man  whose  wife  had  died  the  year  before. 
She  was  a  member  of  our  Church,  and  a  very  pious 
woman.  He  informed  me  that  he  was  not  a  member 
of  any  Church,  but  had  been  raised  in  the  Roman 
Catholic  faith.  Since  he  became  a  man,  however, 
he  had  changed  his  views  somewhat,  and  did  not  go 
to  confession,  or  conform  to  any  of  the  rites  and  cere- 
monies of  that  Church.  He  had  s6nt  two  daughters 
to  a  Roman  Catholic  school  to  be  educated.  The 
priests  succeeded  in  getting  them  into  the  Church, 
and  when  they  came  home  their  mother  found  that 
they  were  full  of  a  bigoted,  contracted  spirit,  regard- 
ing her  as  a  heretic.  The  evils  of  a  false  education 
had  entirely  overcome  all  her  religious  instruction  and 
counsel,  and  they  had  become  thoroughly  perverted. 
All  the  mother  could  do  was  to  pray  for  them,  which 
she  continued  to  do  till  the  hour  of  her  death.  I 
waked  up  in  the  night,  and  could  not  sleep  for  several 
hours.  My  thoughts  and  reflections  were  of  an 
exceedingly  solemn  nature.  I  thought  of  the  father 
and  his  responsibilities,  of  the  mother  in  heaven,  and 
the  children  in  the  meshes  of  superstition  and  idol- 
atry. In  the  morning  I  took  some  time  to  speak  to 
them,  to  the  family  and  friends  that  were  present. 
I  began  with  one  of  the  daughters,  who  was  the  most 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE.  343 


rigid  in  her  attachment  to  the  priests  and  the  Church. 
I  inquired  if  her  mother  had  not  been  a  strict  Meth- 
odist, and  asked  her  if  she  had  not  confidence  in  her 
sincerity  and  religion  ?  She  said, '  Yes.'  I  said,  '  Do 
yon  believe  your  mother  went  to  heaven  when  she 
died  V  She  said, '  Yes.'  I  said, '  While  I  lay  awake  last 
night  I  thought  of  your  mother  going  to  heaven  out 
of  this  house,  and  my  mother  gone  to  heaven  out 
of  her  house.  They  both  lived  and  died  Methodists, 
and  I  have  no  doubt  are  now  happy  in  heaven  to- 
gether. Now,  if  you  had  taken  your  mother's  ad-  ' 
vice,  sought  the  Lord,  and  joined  the  Methodists, 
you  might  go  to  her  even  without  going  to  purgatory. 
I  have  not  heard  any  of  your  Church  say  they  ex- 
pect to  go  to  heaven  when  they  die,  but  they  expect 
to  go  to  purgatory.  Please  to  tell  me  where  that 
is.'  She  said  she  could  not  tell ;  but  some  came 
to  her  help  and  said  I  could  not  tell  where  heaven 
is.  I  said,  '  Yes,  I  can ;  it  is  where  God  is,  on  his 
throne  of  glory ;  and  I  can  tell  you  where  hell  is. 
It  is  where  the  devil  and  his  angels  are ;  and  there 
is  where  the  wicked  will  have  to  be  forever.  And 
now  I  will  tell  you  where  I  think  purgatory  is.' 
'  Where  is  it  V  '  In  the  pope's  brains.'  They  said, 
'  No,  it  is  not  there.'   '  Then  tell  me  where  it  is  V 


344 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


They  did  not  tell,  they  cannot  tell.  O  pity  !  awful 
delusion !  priestcraft  truly." 

Gruber  had  a  short  way  with  the  Catholics, 
especially  with  the  "  holy  fathers  "  of  that  denom- 
ination. While  preaching  a  sermon  on  the  subject, 
of  justification  near  Hagerstown,  he  took  occasion  to 
refer  to  the  Eoman  Catholic  doctrine  on  that  subject, 
and  endeavored  to  show  that  it -was  contrary  to  the 
teachings  of  Christ  and  his  apostles.  Any  exposition 
of  Roman  Catholic  doctrine  is  construed  by  the 
Church  into  persecution,  and  in  this  respect  they  con- 
sider themselves  the  most  pereecuted  people  in  the 
world.  A  short  time  after  the  sermon  in  question 
he  was  met  by  the  priest  of  that  parish,  who  ad- 
dressed him  as  follows : 

"I  hear,  Mr.  Crruber,  that  you  have  been  saying 
hard  things  against  your  mother.  I  am  very  sorry 
to  hear  it  indeed," 

"  Abuse  my  mother !  not  I,  never.  She  was  too 
good  a  woman  and  too  kind  to  her  son  to  be  abased 
or  slandered  by  him." 

"O  no,"  said  the  priest,  "I  don't  mean  your 
mother :  it  is  your  old  mother." 

"  My  old  mother!  Do  you  mean  my  grand- 
motTier  ?" 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


345 


"  No,  no !  I  mean  the  Old  Mother  Church." 

"O  ho!  that  is  it.  Old  Mother  Church!  Well 
she  deserves  that  name,  for  she  is  very  old  indeed  ; 
so  old  that  she  is  blind  and  toothless,  and  so  crippled 
that  she  hobbles  about  on  a  crutch.  Poor  old 
mother !  how  I  pity  her." 

While  traveling  Lewistown  circuit  in  the  latter 
part  of  his  ministry  he  had  an  interview  with  a 
priest  which  he  relates  as  follows : 

"  I  had  several  friendly  conversations  with  a  priest 
in  a  county  town.  We  exchanged  books.  He  said 
he  would  read  mine  if  I  would  read  his.  After 
some  time  we  met.  I  inquired  if  he  had  read  my 
book,  Ouseley's  '  Old  Christianity  against  Papal 
Novelties.'  He  said  he  had  seen  some  of  it  before. 
He  then  asked  me  how  I  liked  his  book.  I  said  I 
had  read  something  like  it  before.  It  was  too  con- 
tracted and  bigoted.  I  thought  they  had  got  more 
liberal  than  to  say  there  was  no  salvation  out  of  the 
pale  of  their  Church.  He  said  there  was  but  one 
Church,  which  Christ  established  through  St.  Peter 
at  Rome.  I  told  him  they  were  mistaken  about  the 
foundation  and  the  place.  After  the  resurrection 
and  ascension  of  Christ  the  Christian  Church  com- 
menced at  Jerusal^.   The  number  of  the  names  of 


346 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEHBER. 


the  disciples  was  about  one  hundred  and  twenty,  and 
on  the  day  of  Pentecost  there  were  added  about 
three  thousand,  so  there  were  three  thousand  one 
hundred  and  twenty  at  Jerusalem  before  we  have 
an  account  of  any  at  Rome.  And  the  disciples  were 
first  called  Christians  at  Antioch.  And  there  is  no 
proof  that  St.  Peter  ever  was  at  Rome,  and  he  was  no 
more  infallible  than  his  wife.  He  denied  his  Master, 
and  cursed  and  swore  that  he  did  not  know  him. 
What  a  rock  to  build  a  Church  on!  And  after  he  was 
restored  to  his  discipleship  and  apostleship,  St.  Paul 
on  one  occasion  withstood  him  to  the  face  because 
he  was  to  be  blamed.  His  views  were  not  so  con- 
tracted. He  said,  '  In  every  nation  he  that  feareth 
God  and  worketh  righteousness  is  accepted  of  him.' 
How  different  from  the  pope  and  the  priests  I  I 
asked  the  priest  if  he  thought  there  was  a  possibility 
of  my  getting  to  heaven  without  joining  his  Church? 
He  said  I  might  get  there  on  the  score  of  ignorance ; 
but  it  must  be  invincible  ignorance,  and  he  did  not 
think  I  could  plead  that.  I  had  lived  long  enough 
to  learn  and  know  better.  I  told  him  my  case  was 
very  serious;  there  was  no  prospect  of  my  ever 
getting  into  his  Church,  and  he  would  not  even 
allow  me  to  go  to  purgatory ;  .^so  nothing  but  a 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRTJBEE. 


34T 


heretic's  hell  remained  for  me.  He  said  he  pitied 
me ;  but  I  think  if  the  Lord  did  not  pity  me  more 
than  he  did,  it  would  be  worse  with  me  than  it  has 
ever  been  or  ever  will  be. 

"I  did  not  see  the  priest  again  for  some  time, 
not  till  after  the  election.  He  was  zealous  to  get 
his  members  to  vote  according  to  his  politics,  or 
else  they  need  not  look  for  his  blessing,  and  it 
would  be  a  dreadful  thing  to  get  a  little  Irish- 
man's curse  in  Pennsylvania.  When  I  met  him,  I 
told  him  I  had  not  seen  him  since  our  last  conversa- 
tion, except  one  day  at  the  post-office  just  before  the 
election ;  then  there  was  a  crowd  of  men  in  the 
street.  I  inquired  what  was  to  be  done,  or  why  so 
many  people.  I  was  told  there  was  to  be  a  great 
mass  meeting.  I  told  the  priest  I  thought  he  could 
tell  me  what  a  mass  was,  for  I  heard  he  had  one  in  a 
shantee  at  the  railroad  some  time  ago.  'JS'ow  I 
want  information.  I  read  nothing  about  mass  in  the 
Scripture  of  truth,  but  in  newspapers.  Some  years 
ago  your  bishop  died  in  Baltimore.  Some  time  after 
his  burial,  notice  was  given  in  the  papers  that  high 
mass  should  be  performed  or  said  on  a  certain  day 
in  the  cathedral  for  the  repose  of  the  bishop's  soul. 
Now  please  to  tell  me  the  difference  between  a 


348 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


great  mass,  a  high  mass,  or  a  low  one.  I  suppose 
your  mass  in  the  shantee  was  a  low  or  small  one.' 
The  priest  told  me  it  was  owing  to  my  ignorance.  I 
did  not  understand  the  original  language ;  could  not 
tell  the  name  of  a  horse  in  Latin.  I  told  him  I 
acknowledged  my  ignorance,  and  asked  for  informa- 
tion. Wished  to  know  whether  horse  and  mass  were 
near  alike  in  Latin.  He  said  a  set  of  ignorant  fellows 
were  riding  about  with  their  saddle-bags,  pretending 
to  instruct  the  people,  and  they  had  no  learning.  I 
told  him  he  did  not  ride  with  saddle-bags  for  he  rode 
in  a  carriage.  And  we  poor  ignorant  fellows  some- 
times met  a  learned  man,  and  we  might  ask  for  in- 
formation, as  I  was  then  doing ;  and  those  wise  and 
learned  men  ought  to  pity  us  and  to  give  us  a  little 
instruction,  that  we  may  know  the  difference 
between  a  horse  and  a  mass.  However,  we  have 
the  privilege  of  asking  wisdom  of  Him  who  giveth 
liberally  and  upbraideth  none.  The  priest  was  cross 
and  short;  he  said  he  had  to  write,  and  go  on  his 
journey.  I  told  him  not  to  lose  any  time  on  my 
account ;  I  only  wanted  a  little  information,  and 
very  seldom  had  such  an  opportunity  to  get  it.  He 
turned  his  back  to  go  away,  calling  me  an  impostor. 
I  spoke  after  him :  '  Yon  don't  know  what  they  say 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


349 


about  you.  Many  would  not  be  in  your  shoes  for 
all  the  boots  in  the  country.'  So  ended  the  last 
interview  between  us. 

"In  traveling  among  the  mountains,  namely, 
Broad  Top,  Eound  Top,  Ray's  Hill,  and  Sideling 
Hill,  I  found  four  or  five  different  sorts  or  denomina- 
tions of  traveling  or  circuit  preachers,  all  professing 
to  preach  Methodist  doctrines.  Some  tried  to  make 
some  improvements  on  them,  but  they  were  the 
worse  for  being  mended.  Truly  the  poor  have  the 
Gospel  preached  to  them,  for  many  are  poor,  both 
preachers  and  people.  How  so  many  are  support- 
ed M  preachers  I  cannot  see  or  tell;  it  must  be  a 
burden  to  the  people  and  a  mortification  to  the 
preachers.  I  felt  clear,  as  I  had  surveyed  and  had 
possession  of  this  country  on  my  first  circuit  more 
than  forty  years  ago.  Others  have  come  and  formed 
circuits,  and  run  their  opposition  lines  up  to  us  and 
over  us  wherever  they  could. 


350 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


CHAPTER  XIIL 

Hints  to  young  Preachers  —  Treatment  of — A  Union  Meeting-house  — 
Prayer  for  a  young  Preacher  —  Clerical  Vanity  —  Bombast  —  Eelation 
of  an  Incident  —  Preaching  at  Conference  —  A  smart  young  Preacher 
—  Improving  the  Style  —  "Going  to  Heaven  by  way  of  the  Moon  to 
see  the  Angels  "  —  A  "Wonderful  Man. 

The  following  "  hints  to  young  preachers  "  we  found 
among  the  papers  Avhicli  came  into  our  hands,  and 
as  we  do  not  recollect  of  ever  having  seen  them  in 
print,  we  think  they  are  of  sufficient  important  to 
give  to  the  reader : 

"  1.  Let  your  eye  be  single ;  seek  nothing  but  God ; 
let  your  schemes,  plans,  and  views  begin  and  end 
in  him. 

"  2.  Make  not  this  man  or  that  man  your  model ; 
be  yourself,  and  aim  and  reach  toward  the  true 
model  of  all  excellence,  that  is,  Christ  Jesus. 

"3.  Avoid,  as  much  as  may  be  consistent  with 
your  duty,  all  conversation  and  unnecessary  inter- 
course with  the  young,  gay,  volatile,  and  vain. 

"  4.  Fly  from  idleness,  lounging,  gossiping,  etc. ; 
your  Bible  and  other  valuable  books,  prayer  and 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


351 


meditation,  and  your  duty  as  a  preacher,  will  leave 
no  time  to  run  to  waste.  Weeds,  briers,  and  thorns 
take  possession  of  uncultivated  fields. 

"  5.  Eemember,  it  is  a  great  mercy  that  although 
you  may  be  greatly  useful  in  the  Church  and  in- 
strumental in  doing  much  good,  yet  all  this  is  hid 
from  your  eyes,  or  at  least  you  see  no  more  than 
barely  suffices  as  an  encouragement  to  proceed  in 
your  work.  It  is  a  mercy,  because  if  you  saw  much 
fruit  it  might  prove  a  temptation  of  a  most  danger- 
ous kind.  Again,  if  you  saw  none  you  would  doubt 
your  call,  be  discouraged,  and  your  spirit  sink. 
Therefore  it  is  good  for  us  to  aim  high,  strive  to 
convert  the  world,  and  put  out  all  our  strength  to 
pull  down  the  pillars  of  Dagon's  temple.  Yet  be 
contented ;  indeed,  rather  pray  to  God  that  you  may 
see  but  little  in  this  world,  but  much  in  the  day  of 
eternity.  * 

"6.  Do  not  forget  a  Methodist  traveling  preacher 
has  every  year,  in  every  new  circuit,  a  character  to 
establish.  The  eyes  of  all  are  upon  him.  Do  not 
say,  nay,,  do  not  even  think,  I  don't  care  what  people 
say  of  me.  This  is  not  the  language  of  humility. 
They  will  indeed,  it  may  be,  think  and  say  too  much 
evil  of  you;  but  certainly  you  must  be  careful  to  give 


352 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


them  no  cause.  Remember,  they  that  have  great 
objects  in  view  can  sacrifice  little  things.  Abraham 
could  give  up  his  son,  and  Jepthah  his  daughter; 
you  are  therefore  to  give  up  all  little  things.  Your 
dress,  your  food,  your  company,  your  very  looks  and 
whole  deportment  must  all  say  to  all  men,  I  am 
crucified  with  Christ.  Therefore,  for  a  man  who  has 
thus  solemnly  devoted  himself  to  God  to  make  a  fuss 
about  his  food,  be  nice  and  particular  in  his  dress,  to 
show  a  fondness  for  a  fine  horse  and  gaudy  trappings 
about  his  horse,  furniture,  etc.,  to  sleep  and  doze 
away  his  mornings  and  evenings  when  in  health,  or 
to  be  surly,  tart,  crusty,  and  hasty  in  his  conversa- 
tion, all  show  a  little,  vain  mind,  and  want  of  grace 
or  want  of  understanding,  or  both. 

"  7.  Feed  your  horse,  clean  your  boots,  (jou.  may 
have  this  done  by  others  in  some  families ;  when  and 
where,  you  mliy  easily  see,)  help  the  family  make  the 
fire,  be  courteous,  humble,  condescending;  let  love 
sparkle  in  your  eyes,  expand  your  heart,  give  agility 
to  your  feet,  tune  and  oil  the  organs  of  your  speech, 
and  let  all  your  words  and  works  show  that  your 
heart  and  conversation  are  in  heaven. 

"8.  Call  no  man  master,  yet  reverence,  respect, 
and  greatly  venerate  men  of  holy  lives,  especially 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER.  353 

the  old  prophets  of  the  Lord  ;  yet  no  man's  ipse  dixit 
is  to  be  your  creed.  Think  for  yourself;  speak 
modestly ;  yet  sometimes  you  must  do  tliis  firmly  in 
matters  of  great  moment ;  and  a  man  may  maintain 
a  firm,  unshaken  mind,  when  at  the  same  time  his 
words  and  manners  may  be  all  meekness,  humility, 
and  condescension ;  and  this,  in  fact,  is  the  very 
spirit  and  temper  of  a  Methodist  preacher  if  he  has 
the  spirit  of  his  station." 

Though  he  was  sometimes  severe  in  his  criticisms 
on  young  preachers,  he  always  entertained  for  them 
a  fatherly  affection,  and  sought  only  to  correct  their 
errors.  At  a  certain  place  he  preached  in  a  house 
which  was  occupied  part  of  the  day  by  ministers  of 
another  denomination.  The  parties  had  an  under- 
standing that  they  were  not  to  preach  on  any  dis- 
puted points  of  doctrine,  or  to  interfere  with  each 
other's  sentiments  or  usages.  One  morning  a  young 
preacher  held  forth,  and,  forgetful  or  regardless  of 
the  mutual  agreement,  made  an  onslaught  on  Method- 
ism, and  was  very  bitter  in  his  denunciations  as  well 
as  false  in  his  representations.  His  sermon  was  a 
caricature  of  Methodist  doctrines  and  usages.  Gruber 
was  present  and  heard  him,  and  was  invited  at  the 

close  C'f  the  sermon  to  ofifer  the  concluding  prayer. 

23 


354 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


He  accepted  the  invitation,  and  addressed  the  throne 
of  grace  in  his  usual  manner,  praying  for  the  people 
and  the  various  objects  of  Christian  effort,  as  well  as 
for  a  blessing  upon  the  various  Christian  Churches  in 
the  land.  As  was  customary  he  also  prayed  for  the 
minister,  saying :  "  O  Lord,  bless  the  young  preacher 
who  has  discoursed  to  us  this  morning,  and  grant  in 
mercy  to  make  his  heart  as  soft  as  his  head,  and  then 
he  will  do  some  good." 

He  especially,  as  we  have  seen  in  the  preceding 
pages,  detested  clerical  pride  and  vanity,  and  was 
particularly  severe  on  young  preachers  whom  he 
thought  indulged  in  either.  At  a  camp-meeting  held 
on  Chester  circuit,  which  was  attended  by  a  large 
number  of  ministers,  a  young  and  talented  preacher, 
somewhat  bombastic  in  his  style,  delivered  two  ser- 
mons, which  were  received  with  considerable  enthu- 
siasm. Gruber  thought  he  was  a  little  too  much  in- 
flated both  in  his  style  and  feelings,  and  concluded 
to  lessen  his  dimensions.  He  took  for  the  occasion  a 
time  when  there  were  a  number  of  ministers  in  the 
preachers'  tent,  and  among  them  the  young  divine. 
He  remarked  that  he  would  give  them  an  incident 
which  occurred  at  a  camp-meeting  near  Baltimore. 
"  A  young  minister  was  there  and  preached,  and  no 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


355 


one  said  anything  about  the  sermon,  cither  criticising, 
commending,  or  condemning.  So  the  young  man 
went  into  the  preacher's  tent  and  introduced  the 
matter  by  saying :  '  Brethren,  I  never  preached  from 
that  text  before,  and  never  heard  it  preached  from, 
and  I  do  not  know  what  you  think  of  my  arrange- 
ment?' Then  that  shrewd  old  man,  who  was  a  dis- 
cerner  of  spirits,  Rev.  Joshua  Wells,  replied :  '  If  you 
had  said  nothing  about  it  I  should  not;  but  since 
you  inquire,  I'll  give  you  my  opinion ;  it  is  this :  it 
was  like  a  mess  of  tadpoles,  all  heads  and  no  tails.' 
Thus  the  young  preacher  stood  reproved  in  the  pres- 
ence of  his  brethren ;  and  anxious  to  have  something 
said  about  his  discourse,  something  was  said  exceed- 
ingly mortifying  to  ministerial  pride." 

As  soon  as  he  had  related  this,  and  the  young  man 
was  making  the  application,  a  local  preacher  well 
acquainted  with  Gruber  said  to  him :  "Father  Gruber, 
how  came  you  to  be  so  much  like  the  young  man 
you  have  described  in  your  preaching  yesterday  ?" 
Gruber,  not  at  all  disconcerted,  replied :  "  Why,  I 
knew  the  people  here  did  not  like  flesh  nor  fish,  so  I 
thought  I  would  give  them  a  mess  of  tadpoles."  He 
had  the  day  before  taken  a  strong  stand  against  de- 
pending on  the  "  internal  light,"  on  which  the  Quak- 


356 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


era  lay  so  much  stress.  His  text  was  :  "  Take  heed, 
therefore,  that  the  light  which  is  in  thee  be  not 
darkness." 

A  young  preacher,  desirous  of  improving  his  style 
as  a  pulpit  orator,  and  having  great  confidence  in 
Father  Gruber,  who,  we  believe,  at  the  time  was  his 
presiding  elder,  wrote  to  him  for  advice.  The  young 
man  had  contracted  the  habit  of  prolonging  his 
words,  especially  when  under  the  influence  of  great 
excitement.  Deeming  this  the  most  important  defect 
in  his  elocution,  Gruber  sent  him  the  following 
laconic  reply : 

"  Dear  Ah !  Brother  Ah ! — When-ah  you-ah  go-ah 
to-ah  preach-ah,  take-ah  care-ah  you-ah  don't-ah 
say-ah  Ah-ah !  Yours-ah, 

Jacob-ah  Gruber-ah." 

A  young  preacher  who  traveled  the  same  circuit 
with  him  being  desirous  of  following  his  colleague's 
example  in  the  way  of  getting  married,  would,  on 
finishing  his  round,  turn  his  course  in  the  direction 
of  a  certain  locality  where  some  interesting  young 
ladies  lived.  On  one  of  these  visits  he  unexpect- 
edly met  his  colleague,  who  expressed  great  surprise 
at  the  direction  he  was  taking.    "  Why  "  said  Gru- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKTJBER. 


357 


ber,  "  how  is  this?  you  are  on  the  back  track.  Where 
on  earth  can  you  be  going  ?" 

"  Going !  why  I  am  going  to  heaven  by  way  of 
the  moon  to  see  the  angels." 

"  That  is  wonderful.  Will  you  be  back  in  time  to 
commence  your  next  round  ?" 

"  O  certainly!  never  fear;  I'll  be  on  hand  at  the 
appointed  time."  • 

"  Very  well ;  don't  let  the  angels  detain  you  from 
your  work." 

Glad  to  be  rid  of  so  querulous  a  customer,  he  rode 
on  with  a  light  heart.  His  destination  was  a  place 
called  "  Sky  Yalley,"  to  reach  which  he  had  to  pass 
through  "Moon  Valley,"  and  the  angels  were  the 
young  ladies. 

At  the  ensuing  conference,  during  the  examination 
of  the  young  preacher's  character,  in  which  many 
good  things  were  said  of  him  by  his  presiding  elder, 
reference  was  made  to  his  colleague.  The  bishop 
asked  Brother  Gruber  what  he  had  to  say  in  favor 
of  his  colleague.  Rising  slowly  from  his  seat  he  said, 
in  a  quizzical  manner,  "  Brother  B.  is  a  wonderful 
man,"  and  then  sat  down.  Not  understanding  this 
remark,  some  of  the  preachers  asked  for  an  explana- 
tion.   Rising  again,  he  replied,  "I  simply  said, 


358 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


bishop,  that  Brother  B.  was  a  wonderful  man," 
and  again  resumed  his  seat.  The  matter  now  as- 
sumed a  somewhat  serious  aspect,  and  the  presiding 
elder,  regarding  it  as  a  fling  at  the  character  of  his 
preacher,  demanded  an  explanation.  "  Very  well," 
said  Gruber ;  "  if  I  must  explain  I  will  say  that  a 
man  who  can  travel  a  circuit,  go  to  the  sky  by  way 
of  the  moon  to  see  the  angels,  and  then  come  back 
again,  must  be  a  wonderful  man." 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


359 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Personal  Recollections  —  Peculiar  Characteristics  —  Uncompromising — 
Education  — Gruber's  Style  as  a  Preacher  —  The  Door  of  Heaven 
shut  and  the  Key  lost  —  Dietetic  Scruples  —  Theological  Attainments 
—  Deep  Piety  —  Cider  aud  Beer — Augmentum  ad  Mulierem  —  Fall- 
ing from  Grace —  Fire  in  the  Head  —  Preaching  to  the  Fishes  —  The 
Borrowed  Shirt  —  Indian  Squaws  —  Misquotations  —  Odd  Reproof. 

"We  have  been  kindly  furnished  the  following  recol- 
lections of  Gruber  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Holdicb,  Corres- 
ponding Secretary  of  the  American  Bible  Society : 

I  knew  Jacob  Gruber  well.  He  was  preacher  in 
charge  in  1820  on  the  Dauphin  circuit,  in  which  I  lived 
at  the  time  of  my  conversion  and  my  union  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He,  without  asking 
my  consent  and  without  my  knowledge,  gave  me  my 
first  license  to  exhort.  I  saw  a  good  deal  of  him 
during  these  two  years,  and  was  frequently  in  his 
company  afterward. 

He  was  a  remarkable  man,  and  one  not  to  be 
judged  by  common  standards.  Like  many  others 
of  his  day,  he  seemed  raised  up  for  a  special  purpose, 
and  to  that  purpose  he  was  peculiarly  adapted.  He 
was  not  fashioned  after  the  pattern  of  any  other  char- 


360 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


acter.  A  Pennsylvania  German,  he  had  the  peculiar 
characteristics  of  that  people,  which  clung  to  him 
with  wondrous  tenacity.  He  was  candid  to  abrupt- 
ness, firm  even  to  obstinacy,  conscientious  to  a  scru- 
ple, and  faithful  in  reproof  almost  if  not  quite  to  dis- 
courtesy. In  these  things  he  carried  virtue  to  excess, 
and  his  "good"  was  sometimes  "evil  spoken  of." 
But  on  the  other  hand  he  was  a  man  of  great  faith, 
of  a  devout  spirit,  of  diligent,  fervent,  constant 
prayer,  and  of  untiring  labor  in  his  Master's  work. 

He  was  a  man  not  given  to  compromise.  He 
"vVas  particularly  fearful  of  conformity  to  the  world, 
and  dreaded  anything  like  worldly  compliances.  It 
may  be  that  his  notion  of  conformity  to  the  world 
was  not  on  a  very  broad  scale;  but  then  it  was  after 
the  standard  of  the  day^  a  standard  that  we  are  per- 
haps too  much  departing  from.  Possibly  the  people 
of  that  day  attached  too  much  importance  to  small 
things  and  too  little  to  larger.  We  are  in  danger, 
not  indeed  of  attaching  too  much  weight  to  the 
greater  duties  of  Christianity,  but  too  little  to  the  less. 
It  would  have  shocked  Jacob  Gruber  beyond  expres- 
sion to  have  seen  our  modern  churches  filled  with 
professing  Christians  quite  undistinguishable  in  man- 
nera  and  costume  from  the  fashionable  world.  And 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


361 


he  never  would  have  endured  our  modern  ecclesias- 
tical music.  Passing  a  house  of  worship  in  which  he 
heard  the  organ,  affecting  simplicity,  he  said  '  What 
is  dat?'  'It  is  the  organ,'  said  his  companion. 
"And  what  is  de  organ  for  ?"  "  0  they  are  worship- 
ing God  in  singing."  "  0  !  and  do  they  have  a 
machine  to  Sy  their  prayers  too?"  He  was  gifted 
with  a  keenly  sarcastic  wit,  which,  however,  he 
never  used  but  to  rebuke  what  he  believed  to  be  sin. 
Sometimes  he  employed  it  with  terrible  effect,  which 
made  him  anything  but  popular  with  the  object  of  it. 

Though  he  had  a  fair  English  education  he  could 
not  be  called  a  man  of  liberal  culture,  and  he'  never 
overcame  either  the  prejudices  or  the  Germanized 
pronunciation  tof  his  early  life.  He  carried  the 
German  intonation  very  perceptibly  on  his  tongue,  as 
perceived  in  the  instances  above  given.  But  though 
he  was  not  a  man  of  general  and  enlarged  reading, 
yet  he  had  read  considerably  in  theology,  especially 
in  Wesleyan  literature,  and  in  such  books  as  supply 
useful  thoughts  for  the  pulpit.  He  was  much  at 
home  in  doctrinal  as  well  as  practical  and  experi- 
mental theology,  and  dwelling  exclusively  in  this 
sphere  of  thought,  his  preaching  was  instructive,  and 
useful  to  the  masses  in  no  common  degree.    I  often 


362 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBF.K. 


heard  able  ministers  say  that  few  persons  put  so 
much  theology  in  their  sermons  as  Jacob  Gruber. 
Then  he  was  a  man  of  much  thought.  He  did  not 
merely  reproduce  the  thoughts  of  others.  What  he 
learned  from  others  was  so  mingled  up  with  the  pro- 
duct of  his  own  mind  that  it  seemed  to  come  from 
its  native  mint.  He  studied  his  sermoM  thoroughly, 
but  he  studied  them  mostly  on  his  knees,  and  the 
thoughts  and  emotions  that  he  had  when  in  com- 
merce with  his  God  were  the  burning  thoughts  that 
he  brought  out  before  the  people.  Hence  we  do  not 
wonder  that  he  kindled  a  similar  fire  in  many  a  soul 
that  heard  him.  I  have  seen  him,  when  preparing  to 
preach  at  a  camp-meeting,  on  his  knees  behind  the  cur- 
tain in  a  tent,  pouring  out  his  heart  in  prayer,  and  seek- 
ing a  baptism  of  the  Spirit  before  going  to  tlie  pulpit. 

On  such  occasions,  at  camp-meetings  I  mean,  he 
■was  generally  very  powerful,  sometimes  overwhelm- 
ing. Even  those  who  did  not  like  him  were  compelled 
to  acknowledge  the  wisdom  and  power  with  which  he 
spok^.  He  would  make  the  heart  of  the  wicked 
tremble  and  quail  before  him  by  his  delineations  of 
the  sinner's  character,  and  his  terrific  descriptions  of 
his  doom.  Sometimes  the  spirit  of  sarcastic  wit 
broke  out  in  bis  sermons,  and  not  unfrequently  in  a 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


363 


way  not  a  little  stinging.  Preaching  on  one  occa- 
sion when  it  was  the  fashion  for  ladies  to  lace  very 
tiglitly,  he  fell  upon  the  corsets,  and,  somewhat 
tritely  in  this  case,  compared  the  fashionable  ladies 
to  "  wasps  cut  in  two  in  the  middle."  In  the  same 
sermon,  warning  believers  of  the  danger  of  apostasy, 
he  fell  upon  the  doctrine  of  the  final  perseverance  of 
the  saints,  urging  them  not  to  rely  on  their  conver- 
sion, however  clear  and  satisfactory,  to  give  them  an 
assurance  of  heaven,  but  to  aim  at  a  daily  growth. 
He  suddenly  exclaimed :  "  Some  people  believe  if 
you  are  once  converted  you  are  just  as  safe  as  if  you 
was  already  iu  heaven  and  de  door  shut,  and  de  key 
lost !"  His  public  addresses  were  full  of  odd  and 
crank  sayings  which,  however  they  might  almost 
provoke  a  smile,  had  very  often  much  point  and 
force  in  fhem. 

He  was  very  particular  in  his  diet,  and  seemed 
conscientiously  so.  His  food  was  substantial,  and 
he  liked  what  was  good ;  but  he  liked  it  simple  and 
natural.  Perhaps  he  was  not  sufficiently  careful  to 
avoid  giving  trouble  in  families  in  the  matter  of 
his  eating,  which  is  of  no  small  importance  in  an 
itinerant  and  missionary  putting  up  in  so  many  dif- 
ferent families,  and  often  where  the  entertainment  of 


364 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


the  minister,  though  conscientiously  and  even  joyfully 
done,  is  sometimes  with  no  little  inconvenience.  It 
was  often  a  trouble  and  perplexity  to  the  excellent 
Marthas  that  Brother  Gruber  was  so  hard  to  please. 
Yet  not  so  hard  either,  if  they  would  have  let  him 
alone.  One  day  the  following  conversation  took 
place  at  a  breakfast  table  : 

"  Brother  Gruber,  will  you  take  some  coffee  ?" 

"  I  drinks  no  coffee." 

"Will  you  take  tea?" 

"  I  drinks  no  tea." 

"  But,  Brother  Gruber,  does  not  the  Bible  say, 
'  Eat  what  is  set  before  you,  asking  no  questions  for 
conscience'  sake?' " 

"  Yes,  it  does ;  but  it  doesn't  say,  Drink  what's  set 
before  you ;  and,  anyhow,  I  does  not  like  spoilt  water; 
I  likes  de  water  as  God  made  it." 

He  had  no  objection,  however,  to  a  little  cider  or 
beer,  for  the  temperance  reformation  had  not  com- 
menced then ;  but  ho  never,  I  believe,  drank  ardent 
spirits,  at  a  time  when  almost  everybody  used  them, 
at  least  occasionally. 

Jacob  Gruber  was  quick  and  acute  in  mind  rather 
than  deep  or  comprehensive,  and  he  dealt  more 
in  statement  and  exposition  than  in  argumentation. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


365 


He  was  very  apt  to  be  right,  but  it  was  rather 
by  intuitive  perception  than  by  logical  deduction. 
This  gave  him  an  advantage  over  an  opponent, 
whom  he  often  foiled  if  he  did  not  convince.  I 
remember  him  one  day  in  an  argument  with  a 
Presbyterian  lady  on  the  doctrine  of  Christian  per- 
fection. After  meeting  her  objections,  and  failing  to 
obtain  her  assent  to  his  views,  he  turned  upon 
her  with  the  argumentum  ad  hominem,  or  ad  muli- 
erem  in  this  case. 

"  But  I  know  some  Presbyterians  that  hold  a 
higher  degree  of  perfection  than  we  Methodists 
believe  in." 

"  Do  you,  indeed  ?  I  never  knew  any  such.  I  do 
not  know  how  it  can  be." 

"  O  yes,  they  certainly  do ;  for  they  believe  Chris- 
tians may  be  so  perfect  that  they  never  can  fall." 

Now  this  might  not  be  a  fair  and  conclusive  argu- 
ment, but  it  was  somewhat  of  a  poser. 

I  have  mentioned  his  firmness  in  reproof,  accom- 
panied sometimes  by  abruptness  in  manner.  This 
was  particularly  observable  in  those  things  to  which 
he  had  a  special  avereion.  He  had  a  great  abhor- 
rence of  tobacco,  and  he  waged  incessant  war  against 
the  cigar  and  the  snuff-box.    On  one  occasion,  com- 


366 


LIFE  OF  JiuCOB  GEUBER. 


ing  up  to  a  young  gentleman  who  was  smoking  lus- 
tily, Gruber  shouted  in  a  loud  voice:  "Fire!  fire!" 
"Where?"  said  the  young  man.  "I  guess  it  is  in 
your  head,"  catching  hold  of  his  cigar  and  throwing 
it  away,  "  because  I  see  de  smoke  coming  out." 

He  could  not  bear  to  see  a  minister,  as  he  thought, 
triflingly  employed.  He  thought  that  every  servant 
of  Christ  should  give  all  his  faculties  to  his  work, 
and  make  his  tastes  and  pleasures  yield  to  his  duties ; 
or,  in  other  words,  that  his  duties  should  be  his  pleas- 
ures. On  one  occasion  he  called  to  see  a  young 
preacher,  and  was  told  that  he  had  gone  down  to  the 
river  to  amuse  himself  with  fishing  for  a  little  while. 
"  Fishing !"  said  Jacob.  "  Has  he  gone  to  preach  to 
de  fish?  I  didn't  know  dat  he  had  a  commission  to 
preach  to  de  fishes."  The  young  man,  who  was  not 
given  to  such  things,  was  not  a  little  mortified  when 
he  heard  of  it,  and  said :  "  Jacob  shall  not  catch  me 
napping  again."    I  believe  he  never  did. 

In  that  day  it  was  often  very  difficult  to  control  a 
certain  class  of  persons  at  a  camp-meeting.  It  was 
particularly  so  in  certain  parts  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  the  ruder  class  not  unfrequently  gave  no  little 
annoyance  by  their  violation  of  the  rules  of  decorum. 
On  such  occasions  Jacob  Gruber's  ready  and  biting 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GEUBEE. 


367 


wit  often  served  a  good  purpose,  and  frequently  suc- 
ceeded in  securing  an  end  when  all  other  means 
failed.  A  young  gentleman  once  told  me  that  a 
friend  of  his  went  to  a  certain  camp-meeting,  and  it 
so  chanced  that  he  borrowed  a  shirt  for  the  occasion, 
which  shirt  had  a  very  liberal  supply  of  ruffle.  Like 
several  others,  contrary  to  the  rules  of  the  meeting, 
he  mounted  one  of  the  seats  to  overlook  the  congre- 
gation. Some  of  the  ministers  from  the  stand  re- 
quested  him  very  politely  to  descend.  But  he  paid 
no  attention.  After  seeing  their  failure  Mr.  Gruber 
took  him  in  hand.  In  quite  a  distinct  and  loud  voice 
he  cried :  "  0  brethren,  let  the  young  man  alone ;  let 
him  enjoy  himself.  Don't  you  see  he  wants  to  show 
his  fine  ruffled  shirt ;  and  after  all  I  dare  say  it's 
borrowed."  The  young  man  instantly  jumped  down 
and  made  off,  saying,  with  an  oath,  to  a  friend,  "  How 
did  he  know  I  had  a  borrowed  shirt  on  ?" 

I  never  knew  him  fail  in  his  attempts  of  this  sort, 
though  sometimes  he  had  to  make  repeated  efforts. 
At  a  meeting  in  a  certain  place  some  young  women 
gave  great  trouble  by  their  persistence  in  the  prac- 
tice which  was  very  offensive.  It  was  not  only  an 
offense  against  neatness  to  stand  on  the  seats,  but 
unpleasant  to  have  persons  gazing  about  on  the  con- 


368 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


gregation,  and  making  remarks  on  the  exercises. 
Several  attempts  liad  been  made  to  get  them  down ; 
but  they  were  obstinate  in  their  resistance.  Every- 
thing else  failing,  Gruber  undertook  them  : 

""WiU  dose  young  ladies  please  to  get  off  de 
penches?"  There  was  no  compliance.  "Yoimg  wo- 
men, will  you  get  off  de  penches?  You  make  dem 
too  dirty  to  sit  on."  It  was  to  no  purpose.  After  a 
pause:  "I  say,  gals,  will  you  get  down  dere?  I  say 
you  spoil  de  penches."  They  did  not  move.  "  You  ne- 
groes, do  you  hear  me  ?  I  say,  get  down."  But  they 
stood  still.  It  was  a  desperate  case.  One  more  effort. 
"  I  say,  you  Indian  squaws,  will  you  get  down  from  de 
penches  ?"  Instantly  they  dropped,  when  Gruber  ex- 
claimed: "Ah,  see  how  well  dey  knows  dare  names." 

We  do  not  hold  these  things  up  for  imitation. 
Tli^y  are  of  questionable  propriety.  But  wo  must 
remember  that  Gruber  was  a  peculiar  man,  endowed 
with  singular  powei*s,  and  he  felt  at  liberty  to  use 
them  to  rebuke  sin  and  impropriety  and  secure  atten- 
tion to  the  rules  of  good  behavior.  We  should  be  far 
from  saying  to  any  other,  "Go  thou  and  do  likewise." 

To  reprove  Jacob  Gruber  or  to  criticise  his  doings 
was  rather  perilous.  On  one  occasion,  on^rising  in 
the  pulpit  to  give  out  his  text,  he  found  the  leaf  of 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


369 


the  Bible  containing  the  chapter  torn  out.  He 
therefore  quoted  from  memory,  and  quoted  it  incor- 
rectly :  *'  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  children  of  God," 
etc.  1  John  iii,  2.  A  young  preacher,  not  lacking 
in  self-esteem  and  confidence,  said,  loud  enough  to  be 
heard :  " '  Sons,'  Brother  Gruber ;  '  'Now  are  we  the 
sons  of  God.' "  Instantly  he  replied :  "  Yes,  I  know 
that  very  well,  but  I  didn't  want  to  leme  the  sisters 
ouf^  The  congregation  was  delighted,  and  the 
young  minister  somewhat  crestfallen. 

But  one  of  the  oddest  reproofs  I  ever  knew  him  to 
administer  was  on  a  larger  scale,  and  proved  not  less 
effectual.  In  a  certain  church  the  congregation  had 
an  unseemly  practice  of  turning  their  backs  on  the 
pulpit  during  a  certain  portion  of  the  singing.  One 
Sabbath  Mr.  Gruber  conducted  the  service,  and,  as 
usual,  the  whole  congregation  simultaneously  turned 
round,  presenting  their  backs  to  the  preacher.  In- 
stantly the  preacher,  to  be  even  with  them,  turned 
round  also,  presenting  his  back  to  the  congregation. 
When  the  time  for  prayer  came,  at  the  close  of  the 
hymn,  the  congregation  were  astonished  to  find  the 
preacher  turned  from  them  and  gazing  at  the  wall. 
The  hint  was  enough ;  they  did  not  repeat  the  objec- 
tionable practice. 


370 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Tribote  to  the  Memory  of  Gruber — Last  Bound — Last  Sermon  —  Dr. 
Bond  —  Eight  to  a  Jubilee  —  Letter  to  the  Conference  —  Unintermitted 
Labor  of  Fifty  Years  —  Work  done  —  Great  Sufferings  —  Attachment 
to  the  Sanctuary  —  Last  Sabbath  in  the  Church  —  Discourse  —  Relig- 
ions Enjoyment —  Adjustment  of  Temporal  Affairs  —  Bequests  to 
Chartered  Fund,  Missionary  Society,  etc.  —  Kev.  S.  V.  Blake  —  Clos- 
ing Scene — Last  Sabbath  on  Earth,  first  Sabbath  in  Heaven — Por- 
traiture of  his  Character — In  Memoriam. 

In  an  exceedingly  appropriate  and  interesting  tribute 
to  the  memory  of  Gruber,  from  the  pen  of  the  Rev. 
T.  H.  W.  Monroe,  we  learn  that  he  was  unable  to 
attend  the  conference  of  March,  1850,  by  reason  of 
affliction.  He  had  finished  his  work  on  the  Lewis- 
town  circuit  and  started  with  his  wife  for  Baltimore, 
hoping  to  reach  the  conference,  which  sat  in  Alexan- 
dria, Va.  Passing  through  Carlisle  he  stopped  over 
Sabbath,  and  preached  in  the  evening  what  proved 
to  be  his  last  sermon.  He  was  attacked  with  a 
violent  inflammation  of  his  right  foot,  which  pained 
him  very  much,  and  increased  in  violence  till  he 
reached  Baltimore.  As  soon  as  he  arrived  he  sent 
for  Dr.  Thomas  E.  Bond,  Jr.,  who  found  him  BuflFer- 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEK. 


371 


ing  much  from  a  gangrenous  foot.  The  doctor 
informed  him  that  it  would  prove  fatal,  and  advised 
him  to  desist  from  his  journey  and  hasten  home. 
When  informed  by  the  doctor  of  the  nature  of  his 
affliction,, he  said  in  a  cheerful  manner:  "Well,  I 
have  been  preaching  for  fifty  yeara,  and  have  as 
much  right  to  a  jubilee  as  any  Jew."  He  went 
home  accordingly,  and  addressed  a  letter  to  the  Rev. 
S.  V.  Blake,  in  which  he  took  an  affectionate  leave 
of  the  conference,  and  asked  that  a  superannuated 
relation  might  be  given  him.  The  conference  com-' 
plied  with  his  request,  and  directed  the  secretary  to 
address  him  a  letter  expressive  of  their  affection  and 
sympathy.  During  the  whole  of  his  half  century  of 
itinerant  labor  there  was  not  an  intermission  of  four 
consecutive  weeks  for  any  cause  whatever.  He 
spent  thirty-two  years  on  circuits,  seven  in  stations, 
and  eleven  as  presiding  elder  on  different  districts ; 
but  his  work  was  done,  and  his  end  rapidly 
approaching.  ^ 

The  best  medical  advice  within  reach  was  imme- 
diately procured,  and  all  was  done  that  skill,  medi- 
cine, and  attention  could  do  to  arrest  the  progress  of 
his  terrible  disease,  but  in  vain.  Though  his  vigor- 
ous constitution,  the  skill  of  his  physicians,  and  the 


372 


LIPE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


constant  attentions  of  liis  wife  and  friends  did  much 
to  delay  the  crisis  and  lengthen  out  his  days,  yet, 
after  his  sufferings  had  been  protracted  for  nearly 
three  months,  disease  gained  the  mastery,  his  strength 
gave  way,  and  he  sunk  to  rally  no  more.  Unaccus- 
tomed to  affliction  for  more  than  threescore  years,  it 
was  a  most  painful  trial  to  him  to  be  confined  to  a 
couch  and  tortured  in  body.  He  often  said  it  was  a 
new,  strange,  and  mysterious  lesson  he  had  to  learn. 
At  first,  with  painful  days  and  restless  nights,  his 
patience  and  fortitude  were "  taxed  to  their  utmost 
capacity.  It  was  difficult  for  him  to  reconcile  his 
present  suffering  with  his  past  long  life  of  labor, 
activity,  and  health.  But  as  grace  was  needed  it 
was  kindly  bestowed ;  and  sweetly  was  he  mellowed 
down  into  true  Christian  resignation.  Now  he  began 
to  perceive  that  having  finished  his  work,  and  through 
a  long  life  having,  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  done  the 
will  of  God,  all  that  remained  was  to  suffer  his  will. 

His  affliction  had  a  most  happy  influence  upon  his 
heart  and  feelings;  they  became  so  tender,  humble, 
simple,  pure,  and  holy,  as  to  indicate  clearly  that  his 
heavenly  Father  was  just  finishing  the  work  pre- 
paratory to  his  reception  to  glory.  He  punctually 
attended  to  his  religious  duties  and  devotions  during 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


3T3 


the  whole  period  of  his  confinement  until  within  two 
days  of  his  death,  and,  being  generally  able  to  kneel, 
officiated  in  turn  with  his  wife  at  family  worship. 
So  fixed  were  his  habits  of  devotion,  so  great  his  love 
for  the  privileges  of  the  sanctuary,  and  the  public  as 
well'  as  private  means  of  grace,  that  he  would  not 
consent  to  remain  at  home  on  the  Sabbath,  but  waa 
carried  to  the  church  by  his  brother  in  a  chair  or  on 
a  bench,  that  he  might  hear  the  word  of  God  and  be 
comforted  if  he  could  no  longer  preach  it  himself. 
This  he  continued  to  do  up  to  the  Sabbath  before  his 
death.  The  last  Sabbath  he  spent  on  eartli  he  was 
in  the  house  of  the  Lord  morning  and  evening,  and 
listened  to  a  discourse  delivered  by  the  preacher  of 
the  station  from  a  text  which  he  himself  had  selected, 
namely,  1  Pet.  v,  10,  11 :  "  But  the  God  of  all  grace, 
who  hath  called  us  unto  his  eternal  glory  by  Christ 
Jesus,  after  that  ye  have  suffered  a  while,  make 
you  perfect,  stablish,  strengthen,  settle  you.  To  him 
be  glory  and  dominion  forever  and  ever.  Amen." 
This  day  he  seemed  to  enjoy  himself  more  than  usual 
during  the  public  worship,  having  less  pain  to  dis- 
tress him.  It  was  very  gratifying  to  see  how  God 
was  graciously  answering  prayer  in  his  behalf,  and 
was  gradually  softening  the  violence  of  his  disease, 


3Y4 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


and  kindly  and  gently  smoothing  his  pillow  as  the 
eventful  moment  approached. 

Not  allowing  himself  to  indulge  any  certain  hope 
that  his  disease  could  be  removed,  he  hastened  to 
adjust  his  temporal  affairs.  In  the  disposition  of  his 
property  by  will,  the  aged  and  worn-out  preachers, 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  those  who  have  died  in 
the  work,  and  the  missionary  cause,  are  beneficiaries. 
A  real  and  genuine  friend  to  all  that  was  good,  he 
showed  himself  true  to  the  last. 

He  bequeathed  to  the  Chartered  Fund  fourteen 
hundred  dollars ;  to  Dickinson  College,  scholarships 
to  the  amount  of  five  hundred  dollars ;  to  tlie  pay- 
ment of  a  mortgage  on  the  church  in  Lewistown, 
five  hundred  dollars;  to  the  Missionary  Society,  on 
the  death  of  his  wife,  two  thousand  five  hundred  dol- 
lars, and  an  additional  six  hundred  and  twenty 
dollars  in  bank  stock  of  the  Carlisle  Bank. 

Mr.  Martin  thus  describes  the  closing  scene :  He 
was  taken  suddenly  worse  on  the  evening  of  the 
twenty-third  of  May,  having  several  attacks  of  faint- 
ing or  swooning,  and  no  doubt  the  work  of  death 
began  at  that  time,  as  he  gradually  grew  weaker  and 
weaker,  until  forty-eight  hours  afterward  the  scene 
closed.    It  was  matter  of  regret  to  me  that  my 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER. 


375 


appointments  required  me  to  leave  on  the  morning 
of  the  twenty -fourth,  and  I  was  thereby  deprived  of 
the  privilege  of  being  with  him  in  his  last  hours. 
His  attentive  neighbor,  Rev.  S.  Y.  Blake,  however, 
had  the  mournful  satisfaction  of  ministering  to  him 
even  to  the  last,  and  his  unwearied  devotion  to  the 
bedside  of  the  venerable  man  is  worthy  of  all  com- 
mendation. From  him  I  have  learned  the  particu- 
lars connected  with  the  closing  scene.  Brother  Gru- 
ber  was  perfectly  conscious  that  his  end  was  rapidly 
approaching,  and  sighed  for  the  happy  release.  He 
requested  Brother  Blake,  if  it  could  be  ascertained 
when  he  was  about  to  die,  to  collect  a  few  brethren 
and  sisters  around  him,  that  they  might  (to  use  his 
own  words)  "  See  rm  safe  off ;  and  as  1  am  going  all 
join  in  full  chorus  and  sing : 

"  '  On  Jordan's  stormy  banks  I  stand.' " 

A  few  hours  before  he  died  he  asked  Brother 
Blake  whether  he  could  stand  it  another  night,  and 
was  answered  that  in  his  judgment  he  could  not. 
"  Then "  said  he  "  to-morrow  I  shall  spend  my  first 
Sabbath  in  heaven !  Last  Sabbath  in  the  Church  on 
earth,  next  Sabbath  in  the  Church  above !"  and  with 
evident  emotion  added : 


376 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


"  Where  congregations  ne'er  break  up, 
And  Sabbaths  never  end.'' 

Brother  Blake,  perceiving  that  he  was  fast  sinking, 
and  could  only  survive  a  few  moments,  asked  him  if 
he  felt  that  he  was  even  then  on  the  banks  of  Jordan  ; 
to  which  he  replied,  with  great  eflfort,  and  these 
were  his  last  words,  "  I  feel  I  am,"  He  was  exhort- 
ed to  trust  in  Jesus,  and  not  to  be  afraid,  but  to  look 
out  for  the  light  of  heaven,  his  happy  home;  and 
then,  in  accordance  with  his  request,  the  hymn  he 
had  selected  was  sung ;  but  ere  it  was  concluded  his 
consciousness  was  gone.  The  singing  ceased,  a 
deathlike  stillness  reigned,  only  broken  by  his  occa- 
sional respiration,  and  an  overwhelming  sense  of  the 
presence  of  God  melted  every  heart.  A  minute 
more  and  his  happy  spirit  winged  its  way  to  its 
long  sought  rest,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of 
his  age. 

So  calmly,  so  peacefully  did  he  fall  asleep  in  the 
arms  of  Jesus/  O  it  was  a  privilege  to  be  there. 
To  see  so  aged  a  servant  of  God  finish  his  course 
with  such  confidence,  such  composure,  such  firm- 
ness, such  blessed  hope  of  glory  beaming  from  his 
countenance,  was  a  privilege  indeed,  the  grandeur 
of  which  wo  will  not  attempt  to  describe. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


377 


The  following  portraiture  of  his  character  is  from 
the  same  pen : 

He  shared  the  sympathy  of  the  whole  community 
during  his  affliction,  and  marked  respect  was  paid 
to  him  and  his  family  at  the  interment.  Brother 
Blake  conducted  the  funeral  services,  and  delivered 
a  discourse  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
founded  on  Matt,  xxv,  21,  to  a  large  concourse  of  all 
denominations  and  citizens  in  general,  after  which 
his  body  was  committed  to  the  earth,  to  sleep  there 
till  the  resurrection  morning.  Subsequently  the  asso- 
ciation of  preachers  for  Huntingdon  district  passed 
resolutions  expressive  of  their  high  regard  for  his 
character,  and  similar  proceedings  were  had  in  the 
preachers'  meeting  at  Baltimore  City,  in  the  conven- 
tion of  stewards  for  this  district,  and  in  the  Quarterly- 
Conference  of  Lewistown  and  Mifflin  circuits. 

Brother  Gruber  was,  in  many  respects,  an  extra- 
ordinary man.  In  his  character  there  was  a  rare 
combination  of  traits.  Some  of  the  harsher  and  more 
unpleasant  of  these  were  frequently  most  prominent, 
and  to  the  superficial  observer  they  were  made  the 
standard  by  which  his  whole  character  was  judged. 
By  such  a  rule,  however,  great  injustice  has  been 
done  him,  for  in  this  way  should  no  man's  character 


378 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBEE. 


be  measured.  All  the  different  traits  should  be 
taken,  together,  all  the  features  should  be  viewed  at 
the  same  time,  and  a  just  and  righteous  balance 
struck,  or  the  decision  will  be  partial,  the  judgment 
inaccurate,  and  the  portrait  will  fail  to  be  an  exact 
resemblance  of  the  original. 

There  existed  in  him  a  very  unusual  combina- 
tion of  severity  and  lenity.  Faults  in  professors  of 
religion  he  never  spared,  but  felt  himself  bound, 
as  a  faithful  watchman,  to  reprove ;  and  this  he 
did,  sometimes  with  withering  sarcasm,  and  always 
with  great  severity  and  sharpness.  Apparently  he 
seemed  to  select  such  opportunities  and  such  lan- 
guage as  would  make  the  deepest  impression  and 
inflict  the  greatest  torture.  But  under  this  apparent 
harshness  (which  is  attributable,  in  a  great  measure, 
to  the  rigid  discipline  under  which  he  received  his 
early  training)  there  was  an  inexhaustible  vein  of 
lenity  and  kindly  feelings.  Though  he  always  used 
a  sharp  instrument  in  probing  the  wound,  and  did 
not  always  use  it  with  a  steady  and  tender  hand, 
yet  so  soon  as  the  true  signs  of  contrition,  conva- 
lescence, and  amendment  were  discovered,  he  had 
always  a  healing  balsam  to  apply.  And  if  some 
might  suppose  that  his  harshness  and  severity  were 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


379 


excessive,  others,  having  an  equal  opportunity  of 
judging,  might  decide  that  his  lenity  and  kindness 
were  equally  excessive.  In  all  cases,  however, 
whether  of  severity  or  lenity,  it  cannot  be  doubted 
that  his  motives  were  always  pure. 

In  him  rigid  eoonomy  and  great  liherality  were 
strangely  blended.  This  was  another  of  his  peculiar- 
ities ;  but  the  combination  was  often  overlooked, 
from  the  fact  that  while  his  economy  was  always 
visible  and  notorious,  his  liberality  was  generally 
silent,  modest,  and  unostentatious.  He  never  al- 
lowed himself  to  indulge  in  luxury,  nor  gave  any 
countenance  to  superfluity.  He  permitted  nothing 
to  be  wasted,  no  needless  expense  to  be  incurred, 
and  saved  everything  that  could  be  turned  to  good 
account.  In  dress,  in  diet,  in  the  transaction  of  busi- 
ness, in  the  management  of  his  circuit  or  station,  the 
same  rules  governed  him.  His  rigid  adherence 
thereto  has,  in  the  estimation  of  some,  fixed  upon 
him  the  reputation  of  being  parsimonious.  But  they 
did  not  know  him.  His  benefactions  may  be  said 
to  have  been  munificent,  for  he  gave  away  to  needy 
individuals,  toward  the  erection  of  churches,  and 
to  literary  institutions ;  and  by  his  last  will  he  be- 
queathed, for  the  benefit  of  worn-out  traveling 


380 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER. 


preachers,  widows,  and  orphans,  and  ultimately  to 
the  missionary  cause,  sums  making  in  the  aggregate 
a  larger  amount  than  is  often  contributed  by  men  of 
his  means.  The  excellence  of  his  course,  as  he 
himself  has  often  remarked,  is  seen  in  this:  the 
great  objects  which  he  kept  steadily  in  view  by  the 
rigid  economy  of  his  life  were,  first,  to  set  a  good 
example  before  his  brethren  and  the  younger  preach- 
ers, who,  he  feared,  were  becoming  too  extravagant 
and  prodigal ;  and,  secondly,  that  thereby  he  might 
be  able  to  give  the  more  to  all  benevolent  objects. 
Thus  his  economj-  became  the  means  of  his  liber- 
ality, and  fully  acquits  him  from  the  charge  of  par- 
simoniousness.  If  he  carried  his  economy  to  an  ex- 
treme, as  some  supposed,  (which,  however,  is  very 
doubtful,)  yet  the  fault  was  not  only  fully  covered, 
but  overbalanced,  by  the  good  use  he  made  of  it. 
If  any  benevolent  enterprise  was  started  by  the 
Churcli  in  the  place  of  his  residence  or  its  vicinity, 
the  first  application  was  generally  made  to  Brother 
and  Sister  Gruber,  that  they  might  head  the  list,  and 
by  their  liberality  stimulate  others.  And  this  they 
but  seldom  failed  to  do,  and  never  when  the  neces- 
sity atid  propriety  of  the  measure  were  beyond 
doubt. 


LITE  OF  JACOB  GKUBER.  381 

He  was  a  man  of  untiring  energy  and  industry. 
His  zeal  was  kindled,  his  principles  moulded,  and 
his  habits  formed  in  the  school  of  early  Methodism 
in  this  country,  and  after  the  model  of  some  of  the 
most  useful  and  eflScient  Methodist  preachers.  Nay, 
like  St.  Paul,  he  could  say  that  he  was  "  in  labors 
more  abundant."  He  performed  more  work,  preach- 
ed more  sermons,  endured  more  fatigue  and  hard- 
ship, with  less  abatement  of  mental  and  physical 
energy  than  perhaps  any  other  minister  of  his 
times.  Indeed,  the  steady  and  glowing  flame  of  his 
zeal  and  industry  was  never  quenched  until  ex- 
tinguished by  death.  He  knew  no  cessation,  nor 
even  abridgement  of  labor,  until  just  three  months 
before  his  departure,  and  only  then  when  arrested 
by  disease.  Truly  he  ceased  at  once  to  work  and 
live." 

He  possessed  a  strong  and  vigorous  mind,  which 
generally  exhibited  itself  as  well  in  conversation  as 
in  his  sermons.  Had  he  been  favored  with  a  thor- 
ough education,  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  he 
would  have  been  surpassed  by  few.  He  displayed 
an  originality  of  thought,  a  sharpness  and  readiness 
of  wit,  an  aptness  of  illustration,  together  with  a  flow 
of  cheerfulness,  which  made  him  an  interesting  and 


382 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GRUBER. 


instructive  companion.  Tlie  vigor  of  liis  mind, 
which  seemed  to  ripen  and  mature  with  his 
years,  evinced  none  of  that  infirmity  which  was 
stealing  upon  his  body,  and  displayed  no  dimi- 
nution of  strength  up  the  last  hour  of  his  earthly 
existence. 

He  was  a  sound  theologian.  None  will  charge 
him  with  a  want  of  orthodoxy.  Thoroughly  posted 
Hp  in  the  doctrines  of  Methodism  from  the  works 
of  Wesley,  and  catching  the  living  inspiration  from 
the  lips  of  Asbury,  Whatcoat,  M'Kendree,  and 
others,  these  doctrines  became  to  him  that  system 
of  divinity  most  in  accordance  with  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures. Nor  was  he  unacquainted  with  the  doctrines 
and  usages  of  other  denominations  as  laid  down  in 
their  books.  His  sermons  gave  unmistakable  evi- 
dence of  this  when  he  felt  it  to  be  his  duty  to  come 
in  contact  with  them.  As  a  preacher  his  pulpit 
discourses  were  always  good,  and  sometimes  almost 
overwhelming.  Generally  he  took  a  sound  and  cor- 
rect view  of  Scripture,  pui-sued  his  own  course  in 
its  exposition,  and  preached  with  great  zeal  and 
energy,  and  often-  with  considerable  effect.  In  ex- 
posing false  doctrine  and  unmasking  false  religion 
he  was  quite  caustic,  and  frequently  successful. 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GEUBER.  383 


But  Jacob  Gruber  is  gone,  and  his  voice  is 
silent  in  death.  Yet  his  name  and  his  deeds  still 
live.  Thousands  now  living  on  earth  will  remem- 
ber him  with  gratitude,  while  thousands  more  have 
already  welcomed  him  to  the  mansions  of  rest ;  and, 
beyond  all  doubt,  many  will  rise  up  in  the  judgment 
and  call  him  blessed. 

The  following  lines,  in  memory  of  the  veteran 
itinerant,  were  written  by  Miss  Harriet  J.  Meek, 
of  Warrior's  Mark,  Pennsylvania,  and  with  this 
beautiful  tribute  we  close  our  sketch  of  the  life 
and  labors  of  this  wonderful  man : 

Rest  from  thy  labors,  rest ! 

Warrior,  resign  thy  trust ! 
The  memory  of  thy  name  is  blest, 

The  memory  of  the  just. 
A  star  is  lost  below, 

An  orb  is  found  above, 
To  spread  anew  the  burning  glow 

Of  everlasting  love. 

For  threescore  years  and  ten 

He  walked  the  earth  till  even ; 
For  fifty  years  he  offered  men 

Salvation,  life,  and  heaven. 
Then  to  his  promised  rest 

He  turned  with  faltering  tread, 
And  found  on  the  Redeemer's  breast 

A  place  to  lay  his  head. 


384 


LIFE  OF  JACOB  GKUBEE. 


Fallen — at  close  of  day ; 

Fallen — beside  his  post ; 
At  sunset  came  the  bright  array, 

The  chariots  and  the  host. 
With  triumph  on  liis  tongue, 

With  radiance  on  his  brow, 
He  passed  with  that  exulting  throng, 

And  shares  their  glory  now. 

Warrior,  thy  work  is  -done  ! 

Victor,  the  crown  is  given ! 
The  jubilee  at  last  begun. 

The  jubilee  of  heaven. 
Rest  from  thy  labors,  rest ! 

Rise  to  thy  triumph,  rise ! 
And  join  the  anthems  of  the  blest, 

The  Sabbath  of  the  skies. 


THE  EITD. 


1  


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